FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 24, 2020
Contact: Reba Lean, Public Relations Manager
Phone: 907-443-9674
Nome, Alaska – Norton Sound Health Corporation received positive COVID-19 results for two regional patients.
On Monday, August 24, a regional resident tested positive for the virus while outside of the region. The patient was not in the region during their infectious period. They will continue their isolation outside of the region until they are cleared of the virus.
On the evening of Sunday, August 23, a village-based patient tested positive for COVID-19 in the region. The patient is a non-resident who was quarantining at the time of the test. They are now safely isolating. NSHC believes the case is travel-related.
NSHC has contacted the village’s local leadership to help form a community response plan, including testing of close contacts.
The region’s travel restrictions and quarantine guidelines have helped identify confirmed cases of COVID-19 since the start of the pandemic. NSHC encourages communities to stick with their travel quarantine requirements at this time.
As NSHC has shared, quarantining is the best way to prevent spread of the virus. After traveling into the region, NSHC recommends quarantining for at least seven days with a COVID-19 test upon arrival and another one on the seventh day. There is no replacement for a full 14-day test when a person is identified as a close contact of a confirmed COVID-19 case.
While in quarantine, people are expected to stay home or away from others out in the country. If possible, it is recommended to plan ahead for a quarantine by shopping for groceries and needed items and making arrangements for other needs. When people unexpectedly need to quarantine, it is helpful when other community members step in to offer support to those people.
