September 25, 2020
Contact: Sarah Richards, Public Relations Specialist
Phone: 907-443-4591
Nome, Alaska – Norton Sound Health Corporation identified the 75th positive case of COVID-19 in the region on Friday, September 25, as a resident of Savoonga.
The patient, who is now safely isolating, tested positive as part of the village’s testing and quarantine mandate related to travel. The State of Alaska Section of Epidemiology and Public Health Nursing have been notified and are following up with any close contacts. NSHC has been in touch with community leaders in the patient’s home village.
Community travel mandates continue to prove to be an effective tool at identifying positive cases of the virus and preventing further spread. NSHC encourages people to pay attention to the latest resolutions from communities regarding travel and requirements from travelers, including needed quarantine time and COVID-19 testing.
All unnecessary travel should be put on hold during this time. Traveling outside of the region poses a higher risk for contracting the virus, even with safety precautions in play. If travel can be delayed for the next six months, it should be.
If travel is necessary, people should only go where they need to and try to avoid large social settings or public spaces when possible. Keep your distance from others, wash your hands frequently and wear a mask in public.
All residents in the region are strongly encouraged to get their flu vaccine this year to protect them against getting influenza during the COVID-19 pandemic. Getting the flu during the pandemic could lower your immune system defenses, and make you more vulnerable to other illnesses, including COVID-19.