FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 8, 2020
Contact: Reba Lean, Public Relations Manager
Phone: 907-443-9674
Nome, Alaska – Norton Sound Health Corporation testing found the fourth positive case of COVID-19 in the region on Monday, June 8. The patient agreed to allow NSHC to disclose their home community of Nome.
NSHC contacted the patient with the test results and education on the next steps. The patient is safely isolating. NSHC also notified the State of Alaska Section of Epidemiology and Public Health Nursing, which will take over the contact tracing for the period of the patient’s potential exposure.
As NSHC continues to test patients regionwide, regardless of symptoms, in Nome and the village clinics, through airport testing, patient testing, or otherwise, it expects to see more positive cases.
Alaska has seen an uptick in cases recently, and it’s important to keep practicing precautionary safety measures, including social distancing recommendations, wearing masks in public, and frequent handwashing.
The State of Alaska will be contacting close contacts of the patient and instructing them on how to promote safety in their communities. State officials will also notify the patient when they have safely recovered and no longer need to isolate.
If residents of the region have concerns about exposure to COVID-19, there is testing for the virus available through NSHC. In Nome, People may stop by the walk-in testing tent from 8-11 a.m. and 12:30-5 p.m. Monday-Friday. In the regional villages, people should call their local clinics to arrange testing. If you are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 (cough, shortness of breath, fatigue, new-onset diarrhea, loss of smell or taste, and other cold symptoms), please contact Primary Care in Nome at 443-3333 or your local clinic before going in to be seen.
