CASE COUNT: Wrangell currently has 6 active cases of COVID-19 in the community. During the last 7 days, the State has reported 6,484 new cases, 94 hospitalizations and 19 recent deaths within Alaska. Cases, hospitalizations & deaths have all been increasing and Alaska continues to see an all-time high for the number of people hospitalized due to COVID. According to the AK DHSS Section of Epidemiology, there is widespread community transmission occurring throughout the entire state. For State information, visit the Alaska COVID-19 Information Hub. For local information, including the daily case count & press releases, you can visit wrangellcovid19.org.
LOCAL ORDINANCES: Wrangell has a Face Covering Requirement in place for all City facilities. This is for all staff that work at City Facilities and all patrons that enter City facilities.
Wrangell also has a local ordinance in place that requires testing prior to or upon arrival in Wrangell for travelers arriving from anywhere (that includes in-state and out-of-state). Fully-vaccinated individuals are not required to test before travel or after arriving into Wrangell. Travelers arriving into Wrangell via the Alaska Marine Highway, water taxis, and chartered flights can test at the Wrangell Medical Center Monday-Saturday from noon-4pm. Any incoming traveler can get a free COVID test upon arrival, even when it is not required.
It is a Federal requirement that all travelers must wear a face covering at all transportation hubs and on all public transportation.
VACCINE: Anyone 12 years and older who is interested in receiving the COVID-19 vaccine can register at covid19.searhc.org. If you have any questions or cannot register electronically, please call the Wrangell Medical Center at 874-7000.
67% of the eligible population in Wrangell has been vaccinated.
In addition to getting vaccinated, the other measures that can help prevent or slow the spread are: staying home when you have ANY symptoms, wearing a mask when indoors around people other than your immediate household members, minimizing the number of gatherings you attend, getting tested as soon as you get symptoms, and following the guidance of the CDC and Public Health if you get COVID or are a close contact to someone who is infected with COVID.
TESTING: If you are experiencing symptoms, please stay home and contact Wrangell Medical Center M-F at 874-7000 for testing. If you have been vaccinated, but are experiencing symptoms, it’s still important to get tested as the vaccines are not 100% effective.
Free asymptomatic testing is available at the Wrangell Medical Center trailer M-F noon to 4pm. No appointment is necessary.
BUSINESS RESOURCES: If your business experienced hardship during the pandemic, you may be eligible to receive financial assistance from the Alaska ARPA Business Relief Program. The deadline to apply is 8am on October 19, 2021. For more information, including eligibility requirements, visit www.commerce.alaska.gov and click on the AKARP Business Relief Program on the main page. https://www.commerce.alaska.gov/web/AK-ARPABusinessReliefProgram
COMMUNITY RESOURCES: If you need masks, or other resources, or have questions relating to COVID (including travel questions), contact the EOC at travel@wrangell.com or by calling 874-COVI (874-2684).
If you are in isolation or quarantine and would like assistance with groceries, would like someone to bring you games or movies or help with errands, reach out to the local Wrangell COVID Support group. This is a group of volunteers willing to help make your isolation or quarantine period a little easier. They can be contacted via the Facebook Group called Wrangell COVID Support or contact Julie Ostrander at 907-660-7506. Thank you to the volunteers for providing this service to the community and making it easier on those in quarantine & isolation.
