The post Friday, December 3, 2021 Update appeared first on KSTK.

The Wrangell Emergency Operations Center was notified on November 23, 2021 of 4 new positive COVID cases. All are Wrangell residents and are isolating. Wrangell’s current known case count is eighteen.

If you have symptoms or are a close contact, call WMC to schedule a free COVID-19 test. (907) 874-7000.

Free asymptomatic testing is available noon to 4:00, Monday – Saturday. No appointment necessary.

If you have not received your test results within 72 hours, contact the SEARHC COVID-19 hotline (907) 966-8799.

The post Eighteen Known Cases. Free Testing for Symptomatic & Asymptomatic appeared first on KSTK.

Wrangell’s current COVID case count is forty 40.

The Wrangell Emergency Operations Center (EOC) was notified later this evening on November 15, 2021 of three new positive COVID cases in addition to the four reported earlier.

Please take individual steps to protect yourself and your family.

The State of Alaska, Public Health is unable to keep up with contact tracing because of the high case count across the state. COVID-positive individuals are asked conduct their own contact tracing.

If you are advised by someone that you are a close contact, or you believe yourself to be a close contact of a COVID-positive individual, please quarantine and contact your healthcare provider to test as soon as possible.

Whether you are vaccinated or unvaccinated, PLEASE wear a mask in indoor settings outside the home.

All businesses are strongly encouraged to have employees that work with the public to wear a mask. It takes all of us to help stop the spread of COVID.

The post Unprecedented COVID Spike in Wrangell appeared first on KSTK.

The Wrangell Emergency Operations Center (EOC) was notified Friday, November 5, 2021 of two new positive COVID cases. Both individuals are Wrangell residents, have traveled recently and are symptomatic. There is no additional information available. Our current case count is at nine. Please take individual steps to protect yourself and your family. Our neighbors in Petersburg are experiencing a COVID spike. Currently they are reporting 63 known COVID cases. 54 of those were identified within the past seven days. Please do what you can to prevent further spread of the virus so that we can keep schools and businesses open and live our best lives.

The post November 5, 2021 Update appeared first on KSTK.

CASE COUNT:  Wrangell currently has 1 active case of COVID-19 in the community. During the last 7 days, the State has reported 5,836 new cases, 96 hospitalizations and 29 recent deaths within Alaska.  It’s nice to see the number of cases starting to decrease, however hospitalizations and deaths are increasing and Alaska is still experiencing widespread community transmission throughout the 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:  The Borough’s Face Covering Requirement has been extended until Oct 31.  All staff and patrons must wear face coverings in all City facilities.

The EOC would like to remind the community that all incoming travelers aged 11+ are required to test prior to or upon arrival in Wrangell.  This applies to all travelers arriving from in state and from out of state by air, ferry, water taxis, or private and personal transportation. Fully-vaccinated individuals are not required to test before travel or after arriving into Wrangell, but it is strongly recommended.  Travelers can test for free at the Wrangell Medical Center Monday-Saturday from noon-4pm; no appointment necessary. 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-Sa noon to 4pm.  No appointment is necessary.  

If you have not received your test results within 3 days, please call the SEARHC COVID Hotline at 907-966-8799 for assistance.

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, electrostatic foggers for disinfecting, or other resources, or you have questions relating to COVID (including travel questions), contact the EOC at travel@wrangell.com or by calling 874-COVI (874-2684).

The post Wrangell COVID-19 Update 10-13-2021 appeared first on KSTK.

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.

The post Wrangell COVID-19 Update 10-6-2021 appeared first on KSTK.

CASE COUNT:  Wrangell currently has 9 active cases of COVID-19 in the community. During the last 7 days, the State has reported 9,125 new cases, 134 hospitalizations and 19 recent deaths within Alaska.  The weekly case count is more than double the count I reported out just 2 weeks ago.  Cases, hospitalizations & deaths have all been increasing and Alaska is seeing an all-time high for the number of people hospitalized due to COVID.  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’s City Facility Face Covering Requirement has been extended through October 8^th. All staff and patrons must wear face coverings in all City facilities.

It is a Federal requirement that all travelers must wear a face covering at all transportation hubs and on all public transportation, including taxis and water taxis.

VACCINE:  Anyone 12 years and older who is interested in receiving the COVID-19 vaccine can register at covid19.searhc.org or call the Wrangell Medical Center at 874-7000.

65% of the eligible population in Wrangell has been vaccinated.

Public Health Nurse Erin Michael will be in town on Friday October 1^st and 2^nd.  She will be at the Wrangell Public Health Center at 215 Front Street on Oct 1^st to provide immunizations, birth control and STD screening for person up to age 29, well child exams for children up to age 6 and TB screening and medications for all ages. Call 772-4611 to make an appointment.   She will also have a table at the Saturday Market on October 2 from 10am to 1pm where she will be providing COVID vaccines and Narcan kits.  If you would like to receive a vaccine, you can show up at the market – no appointment necessary. 

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 for testing. 

Both asymptomatic and symptomatic testing can be arranged by calling the Wrangell Medical Center M-F at 874-7000.  Free asymptomatic testing is no longer available at the airport effective immediately.  Instead, free walk-up testing is available at the Wrangell Medical Center trailer Mon-Sat from noon to 4pm – no appointment necessary.  Individuals who have symptoms or have been exposed to someone with COVID should contact Wrangell Medical Center to schedule a test; please do not use the walk-up testing option.  If you have been vaccinated, but are experiencing symptoms, it’s still important to get tested as the vaccines are not 100% effective.

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.

BUSINESS ASSISTANCE: If your business experienced hardships during the pandemic, you may be eligible to receive assistance from the Alaska ARPA Business Relief Program.  The deadline to apply is 8am on October 19, 2021.  For more information, including eligibility requirements go to: https://www.commerce.alaska.gov/web/AK-ARPABusinessReliefProgram.

The post Wrangell COVID-19 Update for 9-29-2021 appeared first on KSTK.

CASE COUNT:  Wrangell currently has no active cases of COVID-19 in the community. During the last 7 days, the State has reported 6,010 new cases, 78 hospitalizations and 14 deaths within Alaska.  Cases, hospitalizations & deaths have all been increasing and Alaska is seeing an all-time high for the number of people hospitalized due to COVID.  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 until September 24^th.  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 out of state.  Fully-vaccinated individuals are not required to test before travel or after arriving into Wrangell.  Travelers coming in on the Alaska Marine Highway can test at the airport at the next available jet arrival. Any incoming traveler can get a free COVID test upon arrival, even when it is not required.

If you will be testing upon arrival, please sign into the Safe Travels app prior to arrival to register for a free COVID-19 test at https://www.alaska.covidsecureapp.com/.

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 or call the SEARHC COVID Hotline at 907.966.8799. 

65% of the eligible population in Wrangell has been vaccinated.

The Wrangell Medical Center is offering a 3^rd dose for immunocompromised persons.  If you think you may be eligible for a 3^rd dose and have not been contacted by Wrangell Medical Center, please reach out to them at 874-7000.

The Wrangell Medical Center will be gearing up for a Booster shot campaign later this month. 

Erin Michael, Public Health Nurse will be in town on Friday October 1^st  at the Wrangell Public Health Center at 215 Front Street.  Call 772-4611 to make an appointment for immunizations, birth control and STD screening for person up to age 29, well child exams for children up to age 6 and TB screening and medications for all ages.  She will also have a table at the Saturday Market on October 2 where she will be providing info on COVID vaccines and Narcan.  If you would like to receive your vaccine you can show up at the market – no appointment necessary. 

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 for testing. 

Both asymptomatic and symptomatic testing can be arranged by calling the Wrangell Medical Center M-F at 874-7000.  Free asymptomatic testing is also available twice a day at the Wrangell airport during jet arrival.  If you have been vaccinated, but are experiencing symptoms, it’s still important to get tested as the vaccines are not 100% effective.

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).

BUSINESS RELIEF: The Alaska ARPA Business Relief Program has gone live. You have one month to apply for this financial assistance. It is not first come first serve, but it does close at 8am on October 19 2021. The program will be managed by the Juneau Economic Development Council. All information available as well as contact information can be found@www.commerce.alaska.gov under the ARPA Business Relief Program.

The post Wrangell COVID-19 Update 9-22-2021 appeared first on KSTK.

CASE COUNT:  Wrangell currently has 1 active case of COVID-19 in the community. During the last 7 days, the State has reported 4,553 new cases, 97 hospitalizations and 15 deaths within Alaska.  Cases, hospitalizations & deaths have all been increasing and Alaska is seeing an all-time high for the number of people hospitalized due to COVID.  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 until September 24^th.  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 out of state.  Fully-vaccinated individuals are not required to test before travel or after arriving into Wrangell.  Travelers coming in on the Alaska Marine Highway can test at the airport at the next available jet arrival. Any incoming traveler can get a free COVID test upon arrival, even when it is not required.

If you will be testing upon arrival, please sign into the Safe Travels app prior to arrival to register for a free COVID-19 test at https://www.alaska.covidsecureapp.com/.

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 or call the SEARHC COVID Hotline at 907.966.8799. 

65% of the eligible population in Wrangell has been vaccinated.

The Wrangell Medical Center is offering a 3^rd dose for immunocompromised persons.  If you think you may be eligible for a 3^rd dose and have not been contacted by Wrangell Medical Center, please reach out to them at 874-7000.

The Wrangell Medical Center will be gearing up for a Booster shot campaign later this month. 

Erin Michael, Public Health Nurse will be in town on Friday October 1^st  at the Wrangell Public Health Center at 215 Front Street.  Call 772-4611 to make an appointment for immunizations, birth control and STD screening for person up to age 29, well child exams for children up to age 6 and TB screening and medications for all ages.  She will also have a table at the Saturday Market on October 2 where she will be providing info on COVID vaccines and Narcan.  If you would like to receive your vaccine you can show up at the market – no appointment necessary. 

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 for testing. 

Both asymptomatic and symptomatic testing can be arranged by calling the Wrangell Medical Center M-F at 874-7000.  Free asymptomatic testing is also available twice a day at the Wrangell airport during jet arrival.  If you have been vaccinated, but are experiencing symptoms, it’s still important to get tested as the vaccines are not 100% effective.

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.

The post Wrangell COVID-19 Update 9-15-2021 appeared first on KSTK.

CASE COUNT:  During the last 7 days, the State has reported 4,268 new cases, 62 hospitalizations and 6 deaths within Alaska. Wrangell currently has 3 active cases of COVID 19 in the community.  That is a significant decrease in local cases from last week.  Thank you for your extra diligence during this time to prevent the spread of COVID. 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.  

VARIANTS:  According to the September 1, 2021 Alaska COVID-19 Genomic Surveillance Report, during the week beginning August 8, Delta represented 99% of sequenced cases in Alaska. According to data from the CDC, the proportion of cases attributed to Delta nationwide is estimated to be 99% for the week ending Aug 21.  The Delta variant is more easily transmitted from person to person and is the reason why we find ourselves refocusing on prevention and the layered mitigation measures that we used during the last year.  Vaccination is the best protection against the Delta variant.  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. 

LOCAL ORDINANCES:  Wrangell has a Face Covering Requirement in place for all City facilities until September 24^th.  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 out of state.  Fully-vaccinated individuals are not required to test before travel or after arriving into Wrangell.  Travelers coming in on the Alaska Marine Highway can test at the airport at the next available jet arrival. Any incoming traveler can get a free COVID test upon arrival, even when it is not required.

If you will be testing upon arrival, please sign into the Safe Travels app prior to arrival to register for a free COVID-19 test at https://www.alaska.covidsecureapp.com/.

It is a Federal requirement that all travelers must wear a face covering at all transportation hubs and on all public transportation.

VACCINE:  Hospital Capacity across the State is spread very thin right now.  Currently of all persons in Alaska hospitals, 21.3% of those hospitalized are due to COVID-19.  In a report given by Dr. Anne Zink today, she stated that 82% of all cases, 89% of all hospitalizations, and 87% of all deaths among Alaska residents from January 1 through August 21, 2021 were in people who were not fully vaccinated.

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 or call the SEARHC COVID Hotline at 907.966.8799. 

65% of the eligible population in Wrangell has been vaccinated.  55.7% of the eligible population in Alaska has been vaccinated.

The Wrangell Medical Center is also offering a 3^rd dose for immunocompromised persons.  If you think you may be eligible for a 3^rd dose and have not been contacted by Wrangell Medical Center, please reach out to them at 874-7000.

The Wrangell Medical Center will be gearing up for a Booster shot campaign later this month.  There are no additional details about the Booster dose at this time.

TESTING: If you are experiencing symptoms, please stay home and contact Wrangell Medical Center for testing. 

Both asymptomatic and symptomatic testing can be arranged by calling the Wrangell Medical Center M-F at 874-7000.  Free asymptomatic testing is also available twice a day at the Wrangell airport during jet arrival.  If you have been vaccinated, but are experiencing symptoms, it’s still important to get tested as the vaccines are not 100% effective.

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 errand 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.

The post Wrangell COVID-19 Update 9-8-2021 appeared first on KSTK.