Norton Sound Health Corporation on Oct. 28 reported a second death due to COVID-19 in the Norton Sound and Bering Strait region. While only the second death in the region overall, it is also the second death this month. The individual was in their 60s. KNOM joins NSHC in offering our condolences to the family and friends of the deceased.
With another 12 cases identified in Nome on Oct. 27, the city now has over a hundred active cases of COVID-19. NSHC reminds Nome residents that testing is available seven days a week from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Nome Operations Building Testing Center located at the corner of Greg Kruschek Avenue and K Street, across from Nome Elementary School.
According to NSHC, 34% of the region’s population is still unvaccinated. That number includes children currently too young to receive the vaccine.
Despite being a smaller portion of the population, unvaccinated individuals make up the vast majority of those hospitalized for COVID-19.
“The fact remains that unvaccinated folks are at much higher risk of hospitalization and death. … Statewide, 86% of all COVID hospitalizations are those from unvaccinated,” NSHC Public Relations Manager Reba Lean told KNOM.
In total, there are currently 179 active cases of COVID-19 in the Norton Sound and Bering Strait region: 108 in Nome, 31 in Brevig, 16 in Savoonga, 14 in Elim, five in Unalakleet, two in Wales and one each in Shaktoolik, Shishmaref and Gambell.
Image at top: The COVID-19 Virus. Photo credit: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
