This transmission electron microscope image shows SARS-CoV-2—also known as 2019-nCoV, the virus that causes COVID-19—isolated from a patient in the U.S. Virus particles are shown emerging from the surface of cells cultured in the lab. The spikes on the outer edge of the virus particles give coronaviruses their name, crown-like. Image captured and colorized at NIAID’s Rocky Mountain Laboratories (RML) in Hamilton, Montana. Credit: NIAID

The Petersburg Medical Center has announced that active COVID cases in town has dropped to five. Those five cases were new within the last seven days.

The positivity rate among people being tested is about six percent, according to the COVID Dashboard.

COVID cases in Petersburg have been declining for a few weeks after a peak of 39 cases in early October.

Free COVID testing is available daily for people with symptoms by calling the COVID information line at 772-5788.

Also, free testing for travelers is available Monday through Saturday from noon to 4 p.m. at PMC. Enter through the emergency room entrance on 2nd Street.