FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 6, 2020
Contact: Reba Lean, Public Relations Manager
Phone: 907-443-9674
Nome, Alaska – Norton Sound Health Corporation discovered the region’s 25th case of COVID-19 on Thursday, August 6. The patient is a non-resident of the region who tested positive for the virus in Nome. They were informed of their results and are now safely isolating.
NSHC notified the State of Alaska Section of Epidemiology and Public Health Nursing of the case, and the agencies will work together to conduct further investigation. NSHC considers the case travel-related, as the patient agreed to allow NSHC to share the test was done as part of the City of Nome’s testing and quarantine travel requirements.
NSHC has tallied up 25 positive cases of COVID-19, which include 20 regional residents – three of whom tested positive elsewhere in the state – and five non-residents of the region. Many of the cases have been found through the testing and quarantine protocols that communities established for incoming travelers.
Travelers who follow quarantine requirements in communities do the entire region a great service by limiting their potential spread of the virus. If travelers’ tests do not detect COVID-19 upon arrival in the region, it does not necessarily mean they are free of the virus. COVID-19 may not reveal itself until two weeks after a patient has been infected, which is why NSHC recommends quarantining for at least one week and getting a second test before safely resuming daily activities, including social distancing. A 14-day quarantine remains the safest method of preventing spread of the virus.
Before traveling in the region, make sure you are aware of a community’s local travel restrictions. The City of Nome requires a completed travel activity form, which is available at www.nomealaska.org.
