Updated Friday evening, Feb. 11, 2022
Wrangell reported eight new COVID-19 infections Friday, raising the total to 21 cases since Jan. 31 -- a slower pace than the record-setting wave of 185 COVID-19 cases Dec. 30 to Jan. 30.
The 206 cases reported by the borough since Dec. 30 represent about one of every 11 residents.
After record numbers statewide in January, Alaska's count is in decline. The state health department on Friday reported 1,870 new infections over the past two days. At its peak in late January and early February, Alaska’s rate of new cases per capita was the highest among the 50 states, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. State health officials attribute the record numbers to the highly transmissible Omicron variant of the virus.
Individuals are increasingly relying on at-home tests, rather than going to state-contracted testing sites, which health officials said means there are likely a lot more infections in communities that are not recorded and reported with the state numbers.
Free at-home tests are available at the Wrangell Fire Department and at the Wrangell Medical Center pharmacy. The borough advises people to call the fire hall at 907-874-3223 to arrange to pick up test kits.
The borough is advising individuals who show symptoms or are a close contact of an infected person to call the Wrangell Medical Center at 907-874-7000 to schedule an appointment for a COVID-19 test.
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