FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 16, 2020
Contact: Alexis Erikson, Public Relations Specialist
Phone: (907) 443-8918
Over the weekend, Norton Sound Health Corporation identified two additional COVID-19 positive cases.
The first patient is a resident in a regional village who received their COVID-19 positive test results on Sunday, November 15. NSHC has notified the patient, and they are now isolating in their home community. The case is considered to be travel-related, and any close contacts will need to quarantine for 14 days.
The second patient received their COVID-19 positive result on Saturday, November 14. The patient agreed to allow NSHC to share their home community of Nome, where they are safely isolating. NSHC considers this patient’s virus acquisition as a close contact case. The State of Alaska Section of Epidemiology and Public Health Nursing have been notified of the two cases and are investigating.
With the upcoming holiday season upon us, NSHC encourages residents to stay within the region and avoid contact with those outside your household. NSHC also 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.
Today, November 16, Governor Dunleavy released updated travel mandates for anyone traveling to Alaska or between communities, whether you are a resident or a nonresident. If you do travel, there are several different protocols that you must follow. More information can be found at https://covid19.alaska.gov/travelers/
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.
