FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 1, 2021
Contact: Sarah Richards, Public Relations Specialist
Phone: (907) 443-4591
Nome, Alaska – On February 1, Norton Sound Health Corporation identified a second positive COVID-19 case as a resident of St. Michael.
On Monday afternoon, NSHC held a teleconference with village leadership to discuss the new case and develop a response plan. Community leadership recommended closing the school, gym, and the road that connects St. Michael to Stebbins for seven days to prevent any further spread. The local clinic has expanded testing for community members and requests that residents call the clinic to schedule a test. The State of Alaska Section of Epidemiology and Public Health Nursing have been notified and will conduct further investigation. There are currently three active cases in Nome and two in St. Michael.
To date, over 5,000 vaccines have been administered in the region, including an impressive 75 percent of White Mountain’s adult residents. Region-wide, 40 percent of residents have received at least one vaccine. While the state of Alaska and this region are doing well with vaccination rates, other places around the country are not as fortunate, and the risk of spread is still there. Please keep in mind that children under 16 cannot be vaccinated at this time, and every eligible person’s vaccination helps protect them as well.
If you have questions about COVID-19 testing, vaccinations, or have any concerns, you can call into NSHC’s Daily Tribal Leader Call every Monday-Thursday at 11 a.m. The call-in line is 1-800-315-6338; access code: 03286#.
If you develop a cough, fever, shortness of breath, vomiting, diarrhea, congestion, fatigue, headache, or loss of taste or smell, please immediately quarantine and make an appointment at the Cough and Cold Clinic by calling the main appointment desk at (907) 443-3333. You can also call the direct line to the Cough and Cold Clinic at (907) 443-9666 or (907) 443-4200.
