FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 9, 2020
Contact: Reba Lean, Public Relations Manager
Phone: 907-443-9674
Nome, Alaska – As Norton Sound Health Corporation ramps up its preparation for the coronavirus, it is asking members of the public to avoid the hospital and village clinics, unless they are seeking medical care. This request extends to all departments, including the Fireweed Café, in an effort to limit the chance of exposure to the virus.
The Quyanna Care Center will not be allowing visitors until further notice. In a special scenario, when a visit is required, the visitor must receive permission from the nursing manager. Residents of QCC are a vulnerable population who are most at risk for the worst impacts of the virus.
Norton Sound Regional Hospital will close to the public at 7 p.m., which is when the Acute Care unit will close to visitors. In special scenarios, when a visit is required after hours, the visitor must receive permission from the nursing manager.
NSHC encourages people who are experiencing flu or respiratory symptoms to stay home if they can. NSHC will be providing home-care advice in the coming days in an effort to encourage self-treatment. Limiting the public’s contact will help mitigate the spread of the virus if it is brought into the hospital or village clinic.
If you are experiencing a fever, cough or shortness of breath, and have recently traveled to a country or area of the U.S. with the community-wide spread of coronavirus, or have been exposed to someone with the coronavirus, please call the Nurse Call Line at 907-443-6411 before visiting the hospital or clinic. The current locations of concern include King County, Washington State; Italy; South Korea; Iran; China; Japan; and other Asian countries. NSHC asks all members of the public who are coughing or sneezing to wear a mask upon entry to your health care facility.
