Late last night, Norton Sound Health Corporation announced the 50th positive case of COVID-19 in the Norton Sound region.

According to NSHC, the latest patient is a resident of Stebbins and it appears the case is travel-related.

There are currently two active cases in that community and NSHC estimates there are 30 total close contacts of those COVID-positive individuals. Although the active case count in Stebbins has not risen yet, NSHC encourages every resident to get tested and any close contacts to quarantine apart from others.

NSHC says regional residents should be limiting their social circles to include only those who are in their household.

Community leaders in Stebbins have been notified of the newest case and they encourage all residents to show compassion for individuals who test positive for the virus, or their close contacts.

NSHC points out that no one is contracting COVID-19 or spreading it to others on purpose; “it will take a team effort and consideration for others to prevent the spread.”

Image at top: Stebbins, Alaska in October of 2004. Photo from Rob Lef, shared via public domain -Creative Commons.