FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 10, 2020
Contact: Reba Lean, Public Relations Manager
Phone: 907-443-9674
Nome, Alaska – A Norton Sound Health Corporation employee tested positive for COVID-19 on Friday, July 10. The employee’s positive result was found through routine testing, and NSHC is highly confident the testing found the infection in an early phase before there were many opportunities for the virus to spread.
The State of Alaska Section of Epidemiology and Public Health Nursing have been informed of the case. The patient is self-isolating and agreed to allow NSHC to share their home community of Nome. State officials will investigate further, but it appears to be a case of community spread infection.
Routine testing has proven to be an effective tool for identifying the virus in the region. NSHC would like to recommend the option of testing routinely for members of the service sector, including taxi drivers, grocery store workers, and bar and restaurant workers, who come into contact with the public regularly. In addition to testing, wearing face coverings, washing hands frequently, and keeping your distance from others are important safety precautions to keep in mind.
To get tested for COVID-19 in Nome, anyone can stop by the walk-in testing tent from 8-11 a.m. and 12:30-5 p.m. Monday-Friday or 1-5 p.m. on Sundays. In any of the villages, you may call your local clinic to arrange testing.
NSHC is willing to work with employers to accommodate their staff testing in an efficient manner. Please contact Reba Lean if you would like to make those arrangements.
