Active COVID-19 case count rises to 10 in Petersburg

Petersburg Medical Center reports 10 active COVID-19 cases with one previous case being considered as recovered.

Three additional cases have been confirmed in the past three days. All three cases are Petersburg residents who have been instructed to isolate at their homes. Alaska Public Health has received an update on the current numbers and will begin contact tracing.

Of the 10 active cases, seven are residents of Petersburg, while three are non-residents. Each positive sample is referred to the Alaska Public Health Virology Laboratory in Fairbanks for genome sequencing. At least 40% of all positive cases are the Delta variant which causes a higher viral load in patients and is easier to spread according to the Department of Health and Social Services.

Anyone with COVID-19 symptoms should call the PMC COVID Information Line at 907-772-5788. Vaccines help prevent against serious COVID illness and are available for people aged 12 or older. Vaccines and tests can be scheduled by calling the same number.