FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 22, 2021
Contact: Sarah Richards, Public Relations Specialist
Phone: (907) 443-4591
Nome, Alaska – On Thursday, Oct. 21, Norton Sound Health Corporation identified 26 positive COVID-19 cases in the region.
Of the new cases, 13 are in Nome, eight are in Elim, four are in Brevig Mission, and one is in Wales. All individuals have been notified and are safely isolating.
In Nome, nine patients were close contacts to previously identified cases, and four were community spread. In Elim, seven patients were close contacts to other positive cases, and one was community spread. In Brevig, all four cases were close contacts to a previously identified case, and the positive case in Wales was travel-related.
Of the 130 active cases, 87 are in Nome, 21 are in Brevig, 11 are in Elim, four are in Unalakleet, two are in Shishmaref, two are in Shaktoolik, one is in Koyuk, one is in Stebbins, and one is in Wales. Village leadership in all communities has been notified.
As of this week, 66% of the region’s population is fully vaccinated against COVID-19. According to the Alaska Dept. of Health and Social Services, 27% of positive COVID-19 test results are those of vaccine breakthrough cases. 86% of all COVID hospitalizations in Alaska and 82% of deaths among residents over 12 years old were in people who were not fully vaccinated. While fully vaccinated individuals can still get COVID-19, their chances of getting severely ill from the virus is greatly reduced. To increase antibody levels and boost your immune response, anyone 18 and older can ask their clinic to receive a booster shot.
The State of Alaska reports that 100% of cases that are sequenced in the state are of the Delta variant. NSHC medical providers and state epidemiologists are confident that all new cases identified are of the Delta variant.
Testing for COVID-19 is open daily for asymptomatic people from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. at the Nome Operations Building Testing Center, located at the corner of Greg Kruschek Avenue and K Street. The Testing Center is open during the lunch hour, but staffing is limited. Please visit www.picktime.com/NSHC to schedule an appointment. Walk-ins are also welcome.
The Cough and Cold Clinic is available for testing every day for symptomatic patients. It is located on the first floor of the hospital and is open from 8 a.m.-8 p.m. Monday-Friday and 10 a.m.-10 p.m. on weekends, including during the lunch hour. You can call the direct line to the clinic at (907) 443-3231.
In the region’s villages, please call your local clinic to get tested or vaccinated.
