COVID-19 cases rise throughout Arctic December 11th, 2020 |
As the state and the nation eagerly anticipate a vaccine that could ease the danger of the COVID-19 pandemic, cases across the Arctic continue to rise. On the North Slope last weekend, more than 30 new cases were identified, mostly among residents of Utqiagvik. Last week, a backlog of cases was reported following the Thanksgiving holiday with 19 new cases reported. This week, another nine residents of the Northwest Arctic Borough were diagnosed with COVID-19. Utqiagvik is among the hardest hit by the pandemic in the Arctic with 28 individuals from the community testing positive this week with five currently hospitalized at the Samuel Simmonds Memorial Hospital. The hospital's medical team has recommended that residents participate in testing, especially if they experience symptoms.