New COVID case found in airport test

A Wrangell resident arriving at the airport has tested positive for COVID-19 and is in isolation in town, the city announced today.

The state reported the positive case in its statewide numbers on Monday, and Wrangell’s Unified Command was notified today. The city press release did not specify the date the individual was tested.

The last COVID-19 positive case was reported by the city on Dec. 17.

This week’s case brings to 28 the total number of Wrangell-related COVID-19 positives since the start of the pandemic. Of these, 18 have been in Wrangell residents; eight were identified as non-locals, and two were Wrangell residents who were out of town.

Only this most recent case is currently considered active, according to the press release.

“Individuals who have tested positive are being asked to notify their close contacts,” the city announcement said. “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.”

The press release also encourages anyone experiencing COVID-19 symptoms to call the SEARHC hotline at 907-966-8799.