FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 2, 2020
Contact: Reba Lean, Public Relations Manager
Phone: 907-443-9674
Nome, Alaska – On the evening of Saturday, August 1, Norton Sound Health Corporation learned of a patient in the region who tested positive for COVID-19. The patient is a non-resident who tested before traveling to Unalakleet and received their results after arriving in the region. The patient is now safely isolating, and NSHC notified all close contacts and instructed them to self-quarantine.
The State of Alaska Section of Epidemiology and Public Health Nursing have been informed of the case and will conduct further investigation.
NSHC has notified Unalakleet leaders about the case. NSHC’s village response will include providing testing at the Anikkan Inuit Iluaqutaat Sub-Regional Clinic for those who have had contact with the patient. Unalakleet leadership requests that the community show appropriate compassion toward the infected individual and their contacts.
NSHC is extremely grateful for those who follow travel recommendations within the region. Many communities have special requirements for travelers who are planning a trip to their community, which often include a quarantine period in addition to COVID-19 testing. If you are planning a trip to another community, it is important to know that community’s requirements. Please contact a community’s city office for more information about what you should do before and after arriving.
NSHC would also like to remind the public that people should only travel for essential needs at this time. If you must travel, quarantining is the safest way to prevent the spread of the virus. If you travel to a place with known community spread, try to avoid public spaces as much as possible and practice safety precautions like wearing a face covering and washing your hands frequently.
Stay up to date with the latest, including community travel restrictions, by visiting www.nortonsoundhealth.org/category/covid-19.
