Listen to the update here.

CASE COUNT: Wrangell currently has 1 active case of COVID19 in the community. As of today, the total case count for the state of Alaska is 54,820 cases. That’s an increase of 1,150 cases from last week. 

As of today, 1,182 people have required hospitalization. That includes 7 new hospitalizations over the last week. And as of today, 277 Alaskans have died. One of those deaths occurred during the last week. It’s encouraging to see a decrease in the rate of hospitalizations and deaths.

As of today, both Regions of Southeast Alaska are in the State’s Low alert level.

A new and improved layout of the Alaska Coronavirus Response Data Hub went live on Monday, Feb. 1. Also as of Monday, Feb. 1, the data hub will move to updating on a Monday – Friday schedule, with no updates made on weekends or state holidays. You can visit the new data hub at data.coronavirus.alaska.gov.

For local case information & resources, you can visit wrangellcovid19.org.

TRAVEL: If you travel during this time, the State is asking all Alaskans to get tested 1-3 days prior to travel, staying home for 7 days after travel, and getting a 2nd test 5-7 days after travel.  If you have guests traveling to Wrangell please encourage them to follow the travel requirements.   

Alaskans should be aware of the new CDC order that became effective on Monday requiring face masks be worn by all travelers while awaiting, boarding, disembarking, or traveling on airplanes, ships, ferries, trains, subways, buses, taxis, and ride-shares. This applies to travel into, within, or out of the United States and U.S. territories. People must also wear masks while at transportation hubs (e.g., airports, bus or ferry terminals, train and subway stations, seaports) and other locations where people board public transportation in the United States and U.S. territories.

Learn more: https://www.cdc.gov/…/face-masks-public-transportation…
Read the order: https://www.cdc.gov/…/Mask-Order-CDC_GMTF_01-29-21-p.pdf

VACCINE: All residents interested in receiving the COVID-19 vaccine are encouraged to register at covid19.searhc.org. Please provide a valid email when you register, and you will receive an email notification to schedule your appointment as soon as the vaccine is available for your sequence group.  SEARHC is currently scheduling Wrangell residents age 65 and older and essential workers (as defined by the CDC).  New clinics will be added as more vaccine supplies arrive.  If you have any questions or cannot register electronically, please call the clinic at 874-4700 or call the SEARHC COVID Hotline at 907.966.8799.

More than 129,000 Alaskans have been vaccinated so far; 31,000 of those have completed the vaccine series.  It is unknown whether vaccinated individuals might still be able to pass the virus on to others, so once you have received the vaccine, it is still important to follow the recommended mitigation measures such as: wearing a mask, staying home when you are sick, delaying unnecessary travel, taking care of your health, keeping your social circle small, and washing your hands. 

Join SEARHC Senior Vice President and Chief Medical Officer Dr. Elliott Bruhl on Thursday, February 4, at 11 a.m. for a presentation on COVID-19 vaccinations. The presentation will take place at the Nolan Center in Wrangell. Masks and social distancing are required, and please stay home if you are ill. For those who cannot attend in-person, or reside in another community, watch via Zoom at the following  link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87917355062…  The Zoom link is posted on the City’s Facebook page, SEARHC’s Facebook page and at the KSTK website under today’s COVID update.

TESTING: Asymptomatic testing will remain available, but individuals will be required to cover testing fees at the time of testing. If you have symptoms, it is important to seek testing as soon as possible.  Both asymptomatic and symptomatic testing can be arranged by calling the Clinic M-F at 874-4700.