FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 9, 2021
Contact: Sarah Richards, Public Relations Specialist
Phone: (907) 443-4591
Nome, Alaska – Norton Sound Health Corporation identified 11 positive COVID-19 cases on Wednesday, Sept. 8. Five of the cases are in Unalakleet, two are in Koyuk, two are in Shaktoolik, one is in Nome, and one is in St. Michael. Patients have been notified and are safely isolating.
There are currently 33 active cases in the region: 10 are in Unalakleet, five are in Nome, five are in Stebbins, three are in St. Michael, three are in Koyuk, three are in Shaktoolik, two are in Savoonga, and two are in Elim. Village leadership in all communities has been notified.
When patients test positive for COVID-19, they are instructed to isolate for 10 days, starting from the onset of symptoms or from the date of their positive test. To prevent the spread of the virus, patients should keep their distance from all other people, including family members. If there is no safe space to isolate in their household, family members will need to quarantine as well.
If a person has been identified as a close contact or is sharing space with an infected individual, they are instructed to quarantine for 14 days. The start of their quarantine is based on the last contact with the individual during their infectious period. If someone is sharing space with a sick individual, quarantine begins when the positive patient is no longer infectious, i.e. when their isolation is complete. They should prevent the potential spread of the virus by completing the recommended quarantine time.
If people feel ill, NSHC urges them to stay home and contact their local clinic to get tested. In Nome, the Cough and Cold Clinic is available for testing every day. It is located on the first floor of the hospital and is open to walk-ins from 8 a.m.-8 p.m. Monday-Friday and 10 a.m.-10 p.m. on weekends. You can call the direct line to the clinic at (907) 443-3231.
