FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 28, 2022
Contact: Sarah Richards, Public Relations Specialist
Phone: (907) 443-4591
Nome, Alaska – Norton Sound Health Corporation identified 99 COVID-19 cases on Thursday, Jan. 27. Of the new cases, there were 25 in Gambell, 20 in Nome, 13 in Shishmaref, eight in Savoonga, eight in Brevig Mission, seven in Teller, five in Elim, five in Unalakleet, four in Wales, two in Koyuk, and two in St. Michael. Leadership has been notified in each community.
There are currently 407 active cases in the region: 118 in Nome, 80 in Gambell, 40 in Shishmaref, 38 in Elim, 34 in Unalakleet, 25 in Savoonga, 21 in Teller, 17 in Brevig, 11 in Koyuk, six in Golovin, four in St. Michael, four in Shaktoolik, four in Stebbins, four in Wales, and one in Diomede.
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.
You do not need to test again for 90 days if you test positive for COVID-19. At the end of your five days of isolation, you should not retest unless specifically instructed to do so by NSHC. The CDC does not recommend regular testing for asymptomatic people, with some exceptions.
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.
