October 22, 2020
Contact: Alexis Erikson, Public Relations Specialist
Phone: (907) 443-8918
pr@nshcorp.org
On October 21, Norton Sound Health Corporation identified three COVID-19 cases in the region. They were also notified of one regional resident who tested positive for COVID-19 while outside of the region.
The patients have been notified and some agreed to allow NSHC to share their locations. One patient is a resident of Nome and tested positive for COVID-19 in accordance with the City of Nome Travel Mandate. The second patient, who is a resident of the region, tested positive for COVID-19 while in Anchorage, but was not in the region during their infectious period. NSHC also received two positive COVID-19 results from Stebbins.
The addition of these four cases brings NHSC’s count of COVID-19 cases from the region to 138. NSHC’s patient count includes regional residents who tested positive while outside of the region as well as non-residents of the region who have tested positive while in the region.
NSHC notified the State of Alaska Section of Epidemiology and Public Health Nursing, which will investigate the spread of the virus. NSHC has already begun the process of reaching out to the patients close contacts and giving instruction on needed quarantines.
It is recommend by NSHC to follow Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines regarding safety precautions during the COVID-19 pandemic. People should be distancing themselves from others outside their household, including avoiding public spaces, at this time. When it is impossible to avoid others, all parties should be wearing face masks to prevent potential spread of the virus.
If residents have questions regarding symptoms, which can include coughing, shortness of breath, fevering, fatigue, loss of taste or smell, diarrhea, or other cold-like symptoms, they should contact their local clinic or the Nurse Call Line at (907) 443-6411 or 844-586-8773 if outside of regular clinic hours. Other general questions about COVID-19 can be directed to the State of Alaska’s 211 resource number.
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.
It will take a team effort and consideration for others to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
