FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 2, 2020
Contact: Reba Lean, Public Relations Manager
Phone: 907-443-9674
Nome, Alaska – Two patients who tested positive for COVID-19 in a regional village are believed to be tied to other confirmed cases from the region. The patients are close contacts and agreed to allow NSHC to disclose their home community of Stebbins.
NSHC notified the State of Alaska Section of Epidemiology and Public Health Nursing, which will conduct further investigation, including contact tracing. The sources of the virus transmissions will likely be categorized as travel and secondary spread.
NSHC informed Stebbins community leaders about the two new confirmed cases. Leadership decided to implement some new community restrictions, including reducing the number of people allowed in public spaces and requiring proof of COVID-19 testing before boarding a flight into Stebbins. Additionally, the community has set a curfew of 9 p.m. The road between Stebbins and St. Michael will be closed for 14 days, but Stebbins residents will be allowed to order food and pick it up at the road block.
The community leadership is hoping a strong preventative response will help stop any spread of the virus in its tracks. All the while, leaders are encouraging compassion and kindness for those who have tested positive for COVID-19 and for those who are quarantining.
Offering to help people out during this time will make quarantining and isolating much easier and more successful at limiting the spread. If you know someone affected by the recent cases, NSHC encourages you to reach out and see how you can help.
