FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 15, 2021
Contact: Sarah Richards, Public Relations Specialist
Phone: 907-443-4591
Nome, Alaska – On March 14, Norton Sound Health Corporation identified a regional resident who tested positive for COVID-19.
The case is considered to be community spread. NSHC has identified the patient’s close contacts, who will be instructed to quarantine unless fully vaccinated. The patient is now safely isolating. There are currently two active cases in Nome, and zero active cases in regional villages.
Fifty percent of the entire region’s population, including adults and children, is now vaccinated with at least one dose. Over 60% of the eligible population, which includes residents 16 and older, is vaccinated. NSHC’s goal is to bring the entire region to herd immunity at 80% vaccinated.
NSHC encourages patients who have not yet been vaccinated to do so for the safety of themselves, their families, and their community. The mRNA vaccines that NSHC currently has on hand – the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines – are 95% effective against infection and 100% effective against death from the virus. They have also proven effective against infectious variants of the virus.
The Pfizer and Moderna vaccines are still available at the NSHC Pharmacy in Nome. Patients can walk in 9 a.m.-12 p.m. and 1-3 p.m. Monday-Friday. While there is no appointment necessary during these hours, patients who have scheduled an appointment will take preference over walk-in patients. NSHC cannot accommodate walk-ins during the lunch hour, after 3 p.m., or on the weekend. For priority vaccination or to be vaccinated outside of these hours, please schedule an appointment at picktime.com/NSHC or call the Patient Advocate during business hours for help at 443-4567.
The City of Nome has partnered with NSHC to offer after hours vaccinations. Throughout the month of March, appointments are available at City Hall on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday (except March 16) from 6:30p.m. to 7:30p.m. To schedule an appointment, go to picktime.com/NSHC.
The Johnson & Johnson vaccine has been approved for emergency use by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. It represents the third vaccine approved for usage in adults against the virus. This vaccine does not require a booster and you will be considered fully vaccinated two weeks after receiving just one dose. To get on the waitlist for this vaccine, please fill out this form https://tinyurl.com/vaccinewaitlist or call 907-443-4567.
If you have questions or concerns about the vaccine, please reach out to NSHC’s medical staff for answers by emailing or by calling into NSHC’s daily call every Monday-Thursday at 11 a.m. at 1-800-315-6338; access code 03286#.
