FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 15, 2020
Contact: Sarah Richards, Public Relations Specialist
Phone: (907) 443-4591
Nome, Alaska – On December 14, Norton Sound Health Corporation identified two positive COVID-19 cases in Nome.
The first case is travel-related and the patient is a non-resident of the region. The second patient is a close contact of a previously identified case. The State of Alaska Section of Epidemiology and Public Health Nursing have been notified and will conduct further investigation. Both patients are now safely isolating.
There have been 106 positive COVID-19 cases since the mid-November outbreak in Nome. There are currently 17 active cases in Nome, and zero active cases in the region’s villages.
NSHC continues to keep the public informed through a Weekly Data Dashboard. The graphic condenses information into pie charts to show details of the region’s total cases such as gender, age, and positive test timeline. It also reports total hospitalizations and deaths and active cases. The dashboard is updated every Monday by noon, and can be found at this web address: https://my.visme.co/view/q6xw84jw-data-dashboard
Norton Sound Health Corporation is expected to receive the region’s first shipment of COVID-19 vaccinations this week. This first shipment of vaccinations will be available to QCC elders and health care workers. If you have any questions, you can call into NSHC’s Daily Tribal Leader Call. Every Monday – Thursday, NSHC will provide a daily briefing about the COVID-19 pandemic preparation for communities at 11 a.m. The call-in line is 1-800-315-6338; access code: 03286#. If you have trouble dialing in, an alternative number to call is: 1-913-904-9376, also with access code: 03286#. NSHC will be sharing any new information they have about the COVID-19 vaccine and distribution plan for the region.
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.
