This post has been updated to reflect a second case announced Monday and two more close contacts Tuesday.

UPDATE 4/13/2021 4:46 p.m.: Another close contact and Wrangell resident has tested positive. Wrangell’s total case count is now 9.

UPDATE 4/13/2021 2:40 p.m.: Another Wrangell resident has tested positive for COVID-19, city officials announced midday Tuesday. That brings the midday count of known active cases to eight. 

Wrangell officials say this case is a close contact of a recent positive case.

ORIGINAL ARTICLE: Two more Wrangell residents have tested positive for COVID-19, city officials announced Monday evening. Two previously active cases recovered over the weekend, putting the current tally of active cases at seven.

Wrangell officials say one of the cases is a close contact of the other, and that both are in isolation. Last week, emergency officials said they suspect the virus is spreading within the community.

On Sunday, Wrangell Public Schools announced that a recent case was in Stikine Middle School. Classes have not been disrupted, the district said. 

That was the third case of COVID-19 announced in the schools since the beginning of the month. To date, there has been a case identified in each of the three schools. 

Wrangell has reported 46 cases of COVID since the start of the pandemic over a year ago. 

Officials are asking community members to mask up, social distance, and stay home if exhibiting symptoms. 

Free asymptomatic COVID-19 testing is available to the community every day at the airport during jet arrivals (around 11 a.m. and 4 p.m.). 

Wrangellites who are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms or have other COVID-related questions can call SEARHC’s COVID-19 hotline at (907) 966-8799. 

Registration is open to all people in Wrangell over the age of 16 who want to receive COVID-19 vaccinations. Sign up at covid19.searhc.org. You’ll be emailed when an appointment slot is available.

Get in touch with KSTK at news@kstk.org or (907) 874-2345.