FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 24, 2021
Contact: Reba Lean, Public Relations Manager
Phone: 907-443-9674
Nome, Alaska – Norton Sound Health Corporation identified 19 new COVID-19 cases in Nome on Tuesday, Nov. 23. Of the new cases, 13 were close contacts to previously identified cases, five were community spread cases, and one was travel-related.
There are 124 active cases in the region: 97 in Nome, 10 in Shishmaref, seven in Unalakleet, five in Savoonga, four in Gambell, and one in Brevig Mission. Village leadership in all communities has been notified.
NSHC closed early at 12 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 24, and will be closed Thursday and Friday, Nov. 25-26 in honor of Thanksgiving and the NSHC anniversary. The ER will remain open for any emergencies and acute needs during this time. The Cough and Cold Clinic will also be open from 8 a.m.-8 p.m. COVID-19 testing will only be available to incoming travelers from Alaska Airlines flights.
The Nurse Call Line – a free, Nome-based medical advice service – is available at 443-6411 or toll-free at 844-586-8773.
The region’s case rate is still high, and precautions are needed to prevent further outbreaks during this holiday season. NSHC would like to clarify what to do if an individual is identified as a close contact. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention defines a close contact as “anyone who was within six feet of an infected person for a total of 15 minutes or more over a 24-hour period.”
If you were in contact with a person within two days of the onset of their symptoms, you are considered to be a close contact. If the person is asymptomatic, and you had contact within two days of their positive test, you are considered a close contact.
If you fit either of the criteria above, please follow these guidelines:
- If you are fully vaccinated, you do not need to quarantine. However, please test on day 0, 3, 7, 10, and 14.
- If you are not fully vaccinated, please quarantine for seven days and test on day 0, 3, 7, 10, and 14.
