FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 6, 2021
Contact: Reba Lean, Public Relations Manager
Phone: 907-443-9674
Nome, Alaska – A Nome resident tested positive for COVID-19 on Tuesday, April 6. The individual is an employee of Norton Sound Health Corporation and had no contact with patients during the infectious period. It is still undetermined how the infection was acquired. The patient is now safely isolating.
There are currently six active cases of COVID-19 in the region, all of which are located in Nome.
The City of Nome has updated its travel guidelines for people flying into the region through Nome. Fully vaccinated individuals who can show proof of their COVID-19 vaccination are no longer required to test for COVID-19 upon arrival. If incoming passengers do not have proof of vaccination on-hand (a vaccination reminder card, a photo of the card, or a printed or emailed vaccination record will suffice), then they must still be tested.
All other guidelines still remain in effect. Non-vaccinated individuals will need to quarantine for 14 days, or agree to get tested upon arrival to Nome and again on the seventh day after arrival and quarantine for those seven days.
For the time being, NSHC still requires its employees to test upon arrival and again on day seven, even if they are fully vaccinated. This precautionary measure will eventually be dropped when Nome reaches a higher vaccination rate.
NSHC has made COVID-19 vaccinations available to everyone 16 and older in the region. The mRNA vaccines Pfizer and Moderna, which are both two doses, are readily available. Most recently, the single-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine has become available to everyone of 18 years and older. In village communities, residents can call their local clinic to request their preferred vaccine. In Nome, residents may sign up for a two-dose Pfizer or single-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccination by booking an appointment at www.picktime.com/NSHC.
