Wrangell reports 11th new COVID case since Saturday

The borough has reported 11 new cases of COVID-19 since Saturday -- the majority of which are community spread. Wrangell had just two COVID cases in the first 22 days of October,

The first announcement came Saturday with three cases, all Wrangell residents. The borough reported six more cases on Sunday and one more on Monday, "a close contact of a previously identified case." Then one more on Tuesday, also a close contact of a previous case.

All of the individuals went into isolation after their positive test results, the borough reported.

Nicole Webster posted on the community Facebook page Sunday that she, her partner and two children had tested positive for COVID. "I’m posting on here in hopes that anyone that had contact with us over the last week or so will get tested to help stop the spread." Family members had come to town for a memorial service, the posting said, "and at this point a few of the people that came have tested positive as well."

The memorial service for Mel Bjorge was held Oct. 19.

Webster's posting continued: "Places that we had exposure to include The Stikine, The Marine, City Market, IGA, Alpine Mini Mart, both hardware stores, and the Assembly of God Church" where the services were held. Her two children attended school last Friday, and went to Saturday's Pumpkin Patch event downtown.

The chamber of commerce, which sponsored the Pumpkin Patch, posted on Facebook on Sunday: "Although it is considered low risk because the event was outdoors ... please keep an eye out for any symptoms in your households."

The state health department has reported more than 2,400 new cases Friday through Tuesday across Alaska.

As of Monday, Alaska had the highest rate of new cases among all 50 states — more than four times the national average -- according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.