FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 4, 2022
Contact: Sarah Richards, Public Relations Specialist
Phone: (907) 443-4591
Nome, Alaska – Between Wednesday, Feb. 2 and Thursday, Feb. 3, Norton Sound Health Corporation identified 78 new COVID-19 cases in the region. Of the new cases, 19 were in Shishmaref, 18 were in Nome, 17 were in Savoonga, 11 were in Elim, three were in Golovin, three were in Stebbins, and three were in Wales. Koyuk, St. Michael, Shaktoolik, and Unalakleet each had one new case. Leadership in each community has been notified.
If you are sick or test positive for COVID-19, please isolate for five days (starting from the first day of symptoms, or the day of the positive test if without symptoms), followed by five days of wearing a face mask around other people. End isolation if you are fever-free for 24 hours (without the use of fever-reducing medicine) and your symptoms are improving.
People who tested positive do not need to test again after their isolation to be considered recovered. People who have tested positive should not retest again for 90 days unless specifically instructed to do so by their providers.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention does not recommend regular testing for people who are not experiencing symptoms, unless it is required by their school, workplace, or health care provider. Those who should get tested are people experiencing symptoms, people who have been in close contact with someone who tested positive for COVID-19, and people who are not up to date on their vaccines and are at higher risk of illness.
If you were exposed to COVID-19 as a close contact and are NOT up-to-date on COVID-19 vaccinations:
• Quarantine for five days
• Wear a well-fitted mask around others until day 10
• Get tested four to five days after exposure
If you were exposed to COVID-19 as a close contact and are up-to-date on COVID-19 vaccinations:
• You do not have to quarantine, unless you develop symptoms
• Wear a well-fitted mask around others until day 10
• Get tested four to five days after exposure
A close contact is defined as someone who spends 15 or more minutes within six feet of an infectious individual. If both individuals are masked, they are not considered close contacts.
There are currently 266 active cases in the region: 78 in Nome, 43 in Savoonga, 29 in Shishmaref, 28 in Unalakleet, 27 in Elim, 11 in Shaktoolik, 10 in Brevig Mission, 10 in Teller, eight in Gambell, six in Koyuk, five in Stebbins, four in St. Michael, three in Golovin, three in Wales, and one in Diomede.
