FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 18, 2020
Contact: Reba Lean, Public Relations Manager
Phone: 907-443-9674
Nome, Alaska – On Tuesday, August 18, Norton Sound Health Corporation received a positive COVID-19 test result for a patient located in Gambell. The patient was tested as part of follow-up testing of close contacts related to a case announced on Sunday, August 16, in Savoonga. The latest patient is now safely isolating.
NSHC notified the State of Alaska Section of Epidemiology and Public Health Nursing, which will further investigate the case and identify close contacts. NSHC believes the two cases are linked and resulted from travel.
NSHC reached out to Gambell leadership to help establish a community response plan. While widespread community transmission of the virus is not suspected at this time, Gambell leaders would like to encourage residents to get tested and practice safety precautions.
Any close contacts who are identified by Public Health Nursing or NSHC should quarantine for 14 days since their last contact with the positive patient. While under a quarantine, a person should stay home or away from others out in the country. Quarantined households should arrange to have someone deliver groceries and other needed items to them.
All community members should keep in mind the standard safety precautions, including staying a safe distance from others, wearing a face mask in public and frequent handwashing. If you feel sick, you ought to stay home. Call your local clinic to arrange a test before going in to be seen.
