Three Nome residents tested positive for the disease caused by the coronavirus over the weekend. This brings the local total to nine active cases of COVID-19 in Nome, all reported within the last week.

Not all cases involve residents of Nome, but all of these individuals tested positive while in Nome. The first patient was identified on November 10th, two more on the 11^th, three additional cases on November 12^th, and then the latest three on the 13^th.

According to Norton Sound Health Corporation, the three patients tested positive on Friday, but their results were announced publicly on Saturday. NSHC has deemed these cases as close contacts of a previously confirmed case of COVID-19. A close contact is defined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as someone who has spent 15 minutes within 6 feet of a confirmed case.

The State Section of Epidemiology and Public Health Nursing are aware of the cases and will conduct further contact tracing, which could reveal more close contacts.

If you are concerned you may be a close contact of a recent COVID-19 case, but haven’t been contacted by NSHC or Public Health, you can get tested for the disease. In Nome, tests are being offered in NSHC’s Operations Building on Greg Kruschek Avenue. If you live outside of Nome, contact your local clinic to arrange for a COVID-19 test.

With these three latest cases, the Norton Sound has a total of 187 confirmed cases of COVID-19. 166 of those are recovered, while 21 are currently active.

Image at top: The COVID-19 testing drive-thru tent outside the Norton Sound Regional Hospital. Note that local testing now takes place in the NSHC Operations’ Building. Photo from Reba Lean, NSHC (2020).