FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 3, 2021
Contact: Alexis Erikson, Public Relations Specialist
Phone: (907) 443-8918
Three COVID-19 Cases Identified in Nome Residents
Nome, Alaska – Norton Sound Health Corporation identified three positive COVID-19 cases in Nome residents during the first weekend in May. All patients are safely isolating, and close contacts have been notified.
The first COVID-19 case is believed to be travel-related. The patient tested positive on Saturday, May 1 as part of the City of Nome’s testing and quarantine mandate related to travel.
The second and third COVID-19 cases were identified on Sunday, May 2. The two individuals are close contacts with one another, and the source of the virus is still under investigation.
NSHC informed Nome Public Schools that one patient, who tested positive for COVID-19 on Sunday may have exposed middle school students and staff to COVID-19 during the week of April 26-30. NSHC is sending a response team to the school to help test for COVID-19 on Tuesday and again on Friday.
Out of an abundance of caution, Norton Sound Health Corporation is recommending the following actions:
- Anyone vaccinated or un-vaccinated who is a student or staff member in grades 6th, 7th or 8th AND is experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 should get tested as soon as possible. Visit the NSHC Cough and Cold Clinic inside the hospital, open 8 a.m.-8 p.m. Monday-Friday or 10 a.m.-10 p.m. on weekends.
- If you are an un-vaccinated student or staff member in grades 6th, 7th, or 8th and are not experiencing symptoms, you should get tested twice at least three days apart.
- If you are vaccinated and without symptoms, you are not required to get testing.
If you are seeking COVID-19 testing outside of the school offering, you may visit the NSHC Operations Building Testing Center, located at the corner of Greg Kruschek Avenue and K Street, open from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. Monday-Friday. Appointments are not required, but take priority. To schedule an appointment, visit www.picktime.com/NSHC.
NSHC is aiming for herd immunity with a target of 70-80% of the entire region vaccinated, including children under the age of 16. Currently, 58% of the total population has been vaccinated. We are 12-22% away from meeting our herd immunity goal, when things may safely reopen and return to normal.
