October 27, 2020
Contact: Sarah Richards, Public Relations Specialist
Phone: 907-443-4591
Nome, Alaska – On October 26, Norton Sound Health Corporation identified five additional COVID-19 cases.
Four of the patients are considered related to the recent outbreak in the community of Stebbins. The State of Alaska Section of Epidemiology and Public Health Nursing have been notified, and village leadership continue to encourage residents to stay hunkered down. NSHC continues to work closely with the community by sending additional help and supplies for community-wide testing.
The fifth patient is a nonresident of the region and tested positive for COVID-19 as part of the City of Nome’s testing and quarantine mandate related to travel. The patient is safely isolating and will remain in Nome until fully recovered. The State of Alaska Section of Epidemiology and Public Health Nursing have been notified and are currently investigating.
Community travel mandates continue to prove to be an effective tool at identifying positive cases of the virus and preventing further spread. NSHC encourages the public to pay attention to the latest resolutions from communities regarding travel and requirements from travelers, including needed quarantine time and COVID-19 testing.
“The science has clearly shown that prevention works,” said State Epidemiologist Dr. Joe McLaughlin. “Until we have a safe and effective vaccine, we need all Alaskans to double their efforts and follow COVID-19 prevention strategies in their daily lives.”
All residents in the region are strongly encouraged to get their flu vaccine this year to protect them against getting influenza during the COVID-19 pandemic. Getting the flu during the pandemic could lower your immune system defenses, and make you more vulnerable to other illnesses, including COVID-19.
