FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 10, 2021
Contact: Alexis Erikson, Public Relations Specialist
Phone: (907) 443-8918
101 Active COVID-19 Cases in Region
Nome, Alaska –Norton Sound Health Corporation identified 29 COVID-19 cases on Monday, August 9, bringing the total number of active cases in the region to 101.
Of those 29 cases, one was a non-resident in Unalakleet, one was a White Mountain resident, 22 were Stebbins residents, and five were patients who did not want to disclose their community. All patients have been notified and instructed to safely isolate.
Of regionwide active cases, two are in Nome, one is in Unalakleet, one is in White Mountain, 86 are in Stebbins, and 11 are in communities that will remain unidentified. Village leadership in all communities with active cases has been contacted.
Norton Sound Health Corporation is updating its medical guidance regarding COVID-19 prevention during this time of widespread Delta Variant cases. For a period of the next 30 days, or as long as the Delta Variant continues its dominance of all COVID-19 cases, these new guidelines will be in place.
1. Quarantine of close contacts will be returning to 14-days long for unvaccinated individuals and some vaccinated individuals, based on the community outbreak situation.
2. NSHC is recommending universal masking in public indoor areas, regardless of individuals’ vaccination status, for all communities in the region.
The Delta Variant is the dominant strain of COVID-19 throughout the U.S., and according to the Alaska Dept. of Health and Social Services, it accounts for 96% of all cases in the state. The Delta Variant is more than twice as infectious as the original virus, so it has again become important to pick back up some of the precautionary measures that were set aside in recent months.
NSHC strongly encourages everyone in the region to contact their local clinic to get vaccinated against COVID-19 as soon as possible.
