New COVID-19 Positive Case Identified

NEWS RELEASE – UPDATE

For immediate release:     Friday, August 28, 2020 at 1:50 p.m.             

                                           New Confirmed COVID-19 Case                                                                           

On Friday, August 28, 2020, Wrangell’s Unified Command was notified of a new confirmed COVID-19 case.  This case was identified through a routine employee testing program, is asymptomatic and is in isolation.

Additionally, yesterday, Wrangell’s Unified Command noticed that State documents attributed one new case of COVID-19 in the community of Wrangell. Since Wrangell’s Unified Command had not received official notification of that case, the case may have been a Wrangell resident that tested positive for COVID-19 outside of Wrangell.

The Section of Epidemiology has been notified and Public Health Officials will begin investigating the case and conduct contact tracing.  A Public Health representative will notify persons who may have come in close contact with the individual. Questions about close contact should be directed to Public Health in Petersburg at 907.772.4611.

Please continue to take precautionary measures to stay healthy:

• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, or cough or sneeze into your elbow.
• Clean frequently touched surfaces and objects daily (e.g., tables, countertops, light switches, doorknobs, and cabinet handles) using a regular household detergent and water.
• Wear a mask when out in public when you cannot ensure six feet of social distancing as this could minimize the spread of COVID-19.
• Continue to socially distance. This means protecting you and your household members from getting sick. Avoid breaking your home bubble of protection.

Monitor your health and that of your household members and call the COVID hotline with any questions.

Free community testing available at the clinic parking lot every

Saturday and Sunday 11:00 am to 3:00 pm

If you are experiencing symptoms, please call the SEARHC COVID-19 Hotline at 907.966.8799.

Patients with chronic illnesses, or considered high-risk, should contact their provider immediately if they show symptoms.  Low-risk patients should self-isolate, should they become sick.  Continued adherence to virus preventive practices, as well as State and local health mandates, is highly recommended.

Visit covid19.alaska.gov, wrangellcovid19.org, and covid19.searhc.org for the latest coronavirus information, or contact the Wrangell COVID Hotline at 907.874.2684.