FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 11, 2020
Contact: Reba Lean, Public Relations Manager
Phone: 907-443-9674
Nome, Alaska – Another patient, who agreed to allow Norton Sound Health Corporation to share their home community of Teller, has tested positive for COVID-19 on Saturday, July 11. The patient has been informed of their results and is isolating.
The State of Alaska Section of Epidemiology and Public Health Nursing have been informed of the case and will conduct an investigation, including tracing close contacts during the patient’s infectious period.
As this case appears to be community spread, NSHC contacted community leaders in Teller immediately to inform them of a possible outbreak in the village. Together, Teller leadership and NSHC are working to test 100% of the village’s residents this week. Teller leaders are requesting essential travel only and are discouraging travel by road to and from Nome and by water to and from neighboring communities. Teller’s travel permit requirements include testing in the traveler’s home community before coming to Teller.
Call the City of Teller office at 642-3401 or fax 642-2051 for more details of travel permit requirements.
NSHC would like to stress the importance of social distancing and quarantining as effective methods of preventing the spread of the virus. Continue to keep your social circles small and limit them to your household and few others. If you believe there is a chance you’ve been exposed to the virus, in addition to testing, you should self-quarantine if possible. Avoid public spaces and, when you can’t avoid those places, wear a mask and wash your hands frequently.
Practicing these basic safety precautions will help keep you, your family and your community members safe.
