2021-02-24 New COVID-19 Case

REVISED - NEWS RELEASE

For immediate release: Wednesday, February 24, 2021 at 2:30 pm (Revised as per information received at 4:23 PM, Feb 24, 2021)

New Confirmed COVID-19 Case

On Wednesday, February 24, 2021, Wrangell’s Unified Command was notified of 1 (one) new confirmed COVID-19 case. The individual is a local resident and has not recently traveled. Therefore, this case is considered community spread. This individual is mildly symptomatic and is now in isolation.  

Revised  - The Wrangell Middle School, High School, and Elementary Schools will move to distance learning on Friday (Feb., 26th) and Monday (Mar., 1st). Schools will be in session on Thursday, Feb., 25th. All student activities are canceled until further notice.  

The Pool Facility and all indoor Parks & Recreation Indoor Facilities will be closed until March 8, 2021.

At this time, it is recommend that all travel in Southeast Alaska (unless absolutely necessary) be suspended.

 Here are key steps all Alaskans should be taking right now:

• Keep close interactions to a very small group of people, ideally just within your household.

• Stay 6 feet away from others outside your household at all times.

• Mask up in public places.

• Avoid gatherings. Find creative ways to be social that keep people six feet apart. Go virtual, and remember, being outdoors around others is safer than being indoors.

• Wash hands often. Clean and disinfect commonly touched surfaces and objects.

• Stay home if you feel sick.

• Get tested for COVID-19 even if you have one symptom, or mild symptoms.

• Keep track of your contacts and contact them immediately if you test positive for COVID-19.

• Answer the call if a public health contact tracer calls you and follow their guidelines.

Individuals who have tested positive are being asked to notify their close contacts. These close contacts may also be notified by Public Health. Please exercise personal responsibility related to COVID-19. If you are contacted by a positive individual and informed you are a close contact, or if you believe yourself to be a close contact, quarantine for 10 days, monitor for symptoms and seek testing between days 5-7 of quarantine.

If you are experiencing symptoms, please call the SEARHC COVID-19 Hotline at 907.966.8799 or your local healthcare provider.

If you have additional questions contact the Wrangell COVID Hotline at 907.874.2684 or visit covid19.alaska.gov or covid19.searhc.org for the latest coronavirus information.