FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 24, 2022
Contact: Reba Lean, Public Relations Manager
Phone: 907-443-9674
Nome, Alaska – From Friday through Sunday, Jan. 21-23, Norton Sound Health Corporation identified 145 new COVID-19 cases in the region. Of the new cases, 72 were located in Nome, 17 were in Shishmaref, 16 were in Unalakleet, 13 were in Gambell, nine were in Brevig Mission, seven were in Elim, six were in St. Michael, three were in Stebbins, and one was in each Golovin and Shaktoolik. The majority of cases identified are close contacts to previously identified cases or community spread.
Individuals who test positive will be contacted by NSHC medical staff and instructed to isolate for five days, starting from the day their symptoms began or from the day they tested positive if they are not experiencing symptoms. They are considered recovered after the five days of isolation as long as they have not fevered for 24 hours, without the aid of fever-reducing medications. Recovered individuals should wear a face mask around others for an additional five days.
People who tested positive do not need to test again after their isolation to be considered recovered. People who have tested positive should not retest again for 90 days unless specifically instructed to do so by their providers.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention does not recommend regular testing for people who are not experiencing symptoms, unless it is required by their school, workplace or health care provider. Those who should get tested are people experiencing symptoms, people who have been in close contact with someone who tested positive for COVID-19, and people who are not up to date on their vaccines and are at higher risk of illness.
There are currently 219 active cases in the region: 106 in Nome, 28 in Gambell, 21 in Unalakleet, 18 in Shishmaref, 16 in Elim, eight in Brevig Mission, seven in St. Michael, four in Koyuk, four in Stebbins, two in Golovin, two in Savoonga, two in Shaktoolik, and one in Diomede.
