FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 7, 2021
Contact: Sarah Richards, Public Relations Specialist
Phone: (907) 443-4591
Nome, Alaska – Norton Sound Health Corporation identified seven positive COVID-19 cases over the holiday weekend, from Friday, September 3 to Monday, September 6. Three cases are in Stebbins, two are in Nome, and two are in Unalakleet. Patients have been notified and are safely isolating.
There are currently 24 active cases in the region: seven are in Stebbins, two are in St. Michael, one is in Savoonga, two are in Little Diomede, four are in Elim, four are in Nome, three are in in Unalakleet, and one is in Golovin. Village leadership in all communities have been notified.
Since the beginning of the pandemic in March 2020, NSHC has tested 14,000 patients for COVID-19, and identified 879 positive cases in the region. Of those cases, there have been 12 hospitalizations and zero deaths. Over 6,000 people, or 64 percent of the population, are fully vaccinated with either Pfizer, Moderna, or Johnson & Johnson vaccines.
Beginning today, September 7, NSHC will be offering Moderna and Pfizer booster COVID-19 vaccinations. Appointments will be open to anyone who is at least six months past their second dose of Moderna or Pfizer. For people who received either Moderna’s or Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine series, a third dose of the same vaccine is recommended.
In Nome, the COVID-19 booster vaccinations will only be available at the pharmacy. To schedule an appointment in Nome, please visit https://www.picktime.com/NSHC.
In a village, anyone eligible can schedule a booster vaccine appointment by calling their local clinic.
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 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.
