High COVID case count hits community

An additional 40 COVID-19 cases were recorded in Wrangell July 7-13, more than twice as many as in the previous three weeks, according to the Alaska Department of Health website.

That’s almost as many cases as were reported in Ketchikan, 43, during the same seven-day period, though the Ketchikan borough has more than six times the population of Wrangell.

Of the 713 infections in Wrangell reported to the state since the pandemic count started in March 2020, 172, almost 25%, have come in the past three months.

Federal and state health officials acknowledge that the actual number of infections is much higher than official counts because of the prevalence of at-home COVID tests, which are not included in government statistics unless reported by a health care provider.

The recently higher case counts in Wrangell have led to workforce issues as businesses cope with staff on sick leave.

The state releases case numbers every Wednesday.

The latest omicron subvariants, BA.4 and BA.5, have become the dominant cause of infection in the United States, and a large percentage of genetically sequenced cases in Alaska are attributed to the two fast-spreading subvariants.

Health officials have said the subvariants are among the most contagious variations of the virus but have not been linked to more severe illness. In addition, the possibility of reinfection and antibody evasion appear higher for these variants, officials have said.

At-home test kits are available at the Wrangell Fire Hall and at the Wrangell Medical Center pharmacy. The hospital also offers drive-up testing for people with symptoms by appointment only. Call 907-874-7000.

Meanwhile, the quickly changing Coronavirus has spawned yet another super-contagious omicron mutant that’s worrying scientists as it gains ground in India and pops up in numerous other countries, including the United States.

Scientists say the variant — called BA.2.75 — may be able to spread rapidly and get around immunity from vaccines and previous infection. It’s unclear whether it could cause more serious disease than other omicron variants, including the globally prominent BA.5.

The Associated Press and Anchorage Daily News contributed to this report.

 

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