FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 1, 2021
Contact: Sarah Richards, Public Relations Specialist
Phone: (907) 443-4591
Nome, Alaska – Between Friday, Oct. 29 and Sunday, Oct. 31, Norton Sound Health Corporation identified 108 COVID-19 cases in the region. Of the new cases, 70 were in Savoonga, 26 were in Nome, six were in Gambell, four were in Brevig Mission, and two were in Elim.
Of the cases in Savoonga, all were considered community spread, and the vast majority were between close contacts. In Nome, 18 were close contacts, seven were community spread, and one was travel-related. In Gambell, three cases were close contacts and three were community spread. In Brevig, all cases were close contacts and in Elim, both cases were community spread. All individuals have been notified and are safely isolating.
NSHC expects that the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine will be formally approved by the CDC for children ages 5-11 by the end of this week. Once supplies arrive in Nome, providers expect to begin vaccinating kids in that age group next week. If you have questions regarding the vaccine, please email or call 1-800-315-6338; access code: 03286# at 11 a.m. on Mondays and Wednesdays.
The Alaska Dept. of Health and Social Services reports that 100% of cases that are sequenced in the state are of the Delta variant. NSHC medical providers and state epidemiologists are confident that all new cases identified are of the Delta variant. To increase antibody levels and boost your immune response, anyone 18 and older can ask their clinic to receive a booster shot.
It is more important now than ever to get vaccinated against the flu. The flu vaccine can be co-administered with any COVID-19 vaccine. Receiving the annual flu shot will protect you and others in your community from getting sick, and it will help prevent additional strain on Alaska’s health care system.
Flu vaccines are available at the Pharmacy in Nome and in the region’s clinics.
There are currently 232 active cases in the region: 109 in Savoonga, 87 in Nome, 11 in Brevig, 10 in Elim, eight in Gambell, five in Unalakleet, one in Wales, and one in Shaktoolik. Village leadership in all communities have been notified.
