Two separate cases of COVID-19 have been identified in two different communities over the last two days. There are now five active cases in the Norton Sound region.
According to Norton Sound Health Corporation, on Sunday and Monday, two individuals tested positive for the disease caused by the coronavirus. One is a non-resident who tested through the City of Nome’s travel mandates.
The other patient is a resident of Koyuk which brings the local total up to two active cases of COVID-19 in that community. NSHC says they held a teleconference with Koyuk’s leaders yesterday to discuss a response plan.
Anyone who may have come into contact with someone who has COVID-19 in Koyuk is encouraged to get tested between 48 and 72 hours after their potential exposure. If you believe you have come into contact with an individual who tested positive, NSHC recommends you quarantine for seven days.
The State Section of Epidemiology and Public Health Nursing have been notified of the two newest cases and will investigate them further.
With these two latest cases, there are two active in Koyuk, one in Nome, one in White Mountain, and the other in St. Michael. A total of 317 COVID-19 cases have been confirmed in the Norton Sound since the pandemic began. 312 of them are considered recovered and there have been no coronavirus related deaths in the region thus far.
Image at top: Particles from the coronavirus. Photo in the public domain via Creative Commons
