FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 12, 2021
Contact: Sarah Richards, Public Relations Specialist
Phone: (907) 443-4591
Nome, Alaska – Fifty-three new COVID-19 cases over the four-day holiday weekend contributed to the region’s total active case count of 105.
From Friday-Monday, Oct. 8-11, Norton Sound Health Corporation identified 53 new cases, including 27 new cases in Nome, 19 in Brevig Mission, six in Elim, and one in Shishmaref. Two of the new positive cases are NSHC employees. One of the employees did have contact with patients, all of whom have been informed. All individuals have been notified and are safely isolating.
Of the active cases, 54 are in Nome, 41 are in Brevig, three are in Koyuk, six are in Elim, and one is in Shishmaref. Village leadership in all communities has been notified.
Alaska continues to rank highest in the nation for new positive cases per 100,000 residents, with an average of 881 cases identified per day. There has been 33% decrease in cases in the state in the past two weeks, and the situation appears to be improving. The Alaska Department of Health and Social Services reported 16 recent deaths today.
Testing for COVID-19 is open daily for asymptomatic people from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. at the Nome Operations Building, located at the corner of Greg Kruschek Avenue and K Street. The Testing Center is open during the lunch hour, but staffing is limited. Please visit www.picktime.com/NSHC to schedule an appointment. Walk-ins are also welcome.
The Cough and Cold Clinic is available for testing every day for symptomatic patients. It is located on the first floor of the hospital and is open from 8 a.m.-8 p.m. Monday-Friday and 10 a.m.-10 p.m. on weekends, except for 12-1p.m. when it closes for lunch. You can call the direct line to the clinic at (907) 443-3231.
In the region’s villages, please call your local clinic to get tested or vaccinated.
