FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 7, 2020
Contact: Alexis Erikson, Public Relations Specialist
Phone: (907) 443-8918
Two Cases Identified through Travel Mandate
Nome, Alaska – On December 6, there were two positive COVID-19 cases identified in Nome.
The first patient is a Nome resident and the other is a non-resident of the region. Both individuals tested positive in accordance with the City of Nome’s testing and quarantine mandate related to travel. The two cases will be investigated further by the State of Alaska Section of Epidemiology and Public Health Nursing.
As of Monday, December 7, 2020, the number of active cases in Nome has significantly reduced to 24. There are an estimated 30-40 individuals living in Nome who are still in quarantine. NSHC identified 92 cases of COVID-19 in Nome since mid-November; 68 of those cases have since recovered. There are currently zero active cases in the regional villages.
NSHC and the City of Nome will continue to require COVID-19 testing upon arrival in Nome at the airport. Testing in advance of arriving to Nome will not meet the requirement. NSHC has placed staff at the Anchorage airport to help passengers pre-register for COVID-19 testing. If passengers are pre-registered before arriving to Nome, the COVID-19 testing process is very efficient.
If you live in a village, you will receive a rapid COVID-19 test to ensure your test results have returned in time for your flight home. If you have a tight connection, please let the NSHC employee based at the Anchorage airport know so NSHC can help expedite your testing results. If you are flying home to the village on Bering Air, you may text the COVID-19 texting line at 1-833-413-0568 to get your results within two hours of being tested. If you do not have a phone, Bering Air has a cell phone available to check results, with the patient’s permission. If you were not tested in time for your flight back home to the village, please call NSHC’s quarantine team at 907-434-0654 and NSHC will assist you.
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) 443-3231.