27 cases of COVID-19 in Stebbins are all considered related and part of the local outbreak of the disease caused by the coronavirus. Norton Sound Health Corporation announced yesterday that three new patients in that community tested positive earlier this week.

According to NSHC, only 12 of those cases are currently active in Stebbins, however the three latest cases are close contacts of previous COVID-19 patients. The regional health corporation has identified new cases in that community at least every three days since October 6^th, when the original cluster of 12 cases was announced.

The local hunker down notice continues, and residents of Stebbins are encouraged to limit their movements outside of their homes and the community. NSHC is asking everyone in the region to delay their travel and stay with the Norton Sound, especially with the holiday season coming up.

If you are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19, which can include coughing, fever, loss of taste or smell, diarrhea, and other cold-like symptoms; call your local clinic or the Nurse Call Line at 443-6411.

With the three newest cases, the Norton Sound region has a total of 127 COVID-19 cases confirmed. 16 of those are currently active while 111 are considered recovered. According to NSHC’s count, the same number of regional residents’ who tested positive for the virus thus far [111] is the same as the number of people who have successfully recovered.

Image at top: The COVID-19 testing drive-thru tent outside the Norton Sound Regional Hospital. Photo from Reba Lean, NSHC (2020).