October 20, 2020
Contact: Alexis Erikson, Public Relations Specialist
Phone: (907) 443-8918
Three Additional COVID-19 Cases Confirmed in Local Village
Nome, Alaska – On October 19, Norton Sound Health Corporation received three positive COVID-19 results from Stebbins, bringing the total number of active cases in the village to 12.
The patients are considered to be close contacts and related to the cluster of previous cases in the village of Stebbins. The State of Alaska Section of Epidemiology and Public Health Nursing have been notified, and village leadership has been informed. Public buildings have limited to no access, and residents are encouraged to stay hunkered down. NSHC continues to work closely with the community by sending additional help and supplies for community-wide testing.
With positive cases surging throughout the state, NSHC encourages patients to delay travel at this time, including medical visits to Anchorage unless immediate attention is necessary. If telemedicine can be utilized, or a procedure can take place in Nome or at a local clinic, that is currently the safest option. Health care providers might consider delaying medical travel for patients for the next three months, though this will be decided on an individual basis. With the upcoming holiday season, NSHC encourages residents to stay within the region and avoid contact with those outside your household.
If residents have questions regarding symptoms, which can include coughing, shortness of breath, fevering, fatigue, loss of taste or smell, diarrhea, or other cold-like symptoms, they should contact their local clinic or the Nurse Call Line at (907) 443-6411 or 844-586-8773 if outside of regular clinic hours. Other general questions about COVID-19 can be directed to the State of Alaska’s 211 resource number.
All residents in the region are strongly encouraged to get their flu vaccine this year to protect them against getting influenza during the COVID-19 pandemic. Getting the flu during the pandemic could lower your immune system defenses, and make you more vulnerable to other illnesses, including COVID-19.
