Nome sees first COVID-positive patients among homeless population

When the COVID-19 pandemic first appeared in Nome there was concern that the approximately 45 homeless individuals were vulnerable.

Being homeless makes it hard to follow CDC guidelines and preexisting health problems can cause complications when one is also infected with the novel coronavirus. As the virus gradually crept into Nome and the surrounding villages, the homeless population remained free of infection. Until this past week. The first positive case has set off alarm bells.

“Obviously we are, the hospital, the day shelter, and NEST are taking this very seriously, as is the city,” said Nome City Manager Glenn Steckman. Norton Sound Health Corp. has implemented protocols to head off a possible spread within the population. That includes more testing. After the one individual tested positive, all the regular guests at the day shelter and NEST were tested.

“Even before we knew of any cases, we were practicing social distancing,” said Rhonda Schneider, CEO of Nome Community Center, which manages NEST.

NEST offers overnight shelter and both the day shelter and NEST are now located in the Mini Convention Center.

NEST moved into the Mini because their previous location was not large enough to maintain social distancing. “It didn’t give us space to sleep six feet apart,” said Schneider. The NEST formerly used reusable bowls and silverware. Now everything is disposable. All matts and pillows have been replaced and the new ones are disinfected daily. “We have some pretty serious protocols. We take everybody’s picture at night when they come in,” said Schneider.

“What I would recommend to everybody in the community right now, and what the governor is recommending, is that we maintain our social bubbles,” said Steckman. “And when interacting with other people wear a mask. That’s the one thing that can control to a great degree transmission.” According to Steckman the term “homeless” is not a good fit for many of those who utilize the city’s services. There are working people, too poor to raise the money needed to rent a place in Nome. Then there are people who stay on relatives’ couches. When they can’t find a couch, they sleep at NEST. Everybody needs to practice better care, says Steckman. “Practice the three Ws,” he said. The three Ws are wear a mask, wash hands and watch your distance.

Winter is just getting started and NEST is averaging more than 20 nightly visitors. The hospital is now ensuring that any village patient who misses a flight is on the very next flight home. “That removes that homeless aspect when somebody misses a flight because of medical reasons,” said Steckman.

According to Rhonda Schneider, NEST runs a tight ship since the guests are at the Mini all at the same time whereas during day time, when the Day Shelter is taking over the Mini, guests can come and go as they please.

“We require mask wearing,” Schneider said. “They don’t have to wear a mask when they sleep but we’re trying to keep masks on people as best we can. It’s difficult for some of them. So we’ve followed the recommended protocols according to the Coalition on Housing and Homelessness. The National Alliance to End Homelessness has put out some best practices.”

Asked why it has taken so long for COVID-19 to appear in the homeless population in Nome, Schneider replied that the interactions between the homeless and the non-homeless in Nome are different than in other places. They’re not hanging out in public places like malls or bus stations. They don’t mix with those who travel to the road system or outside, source of much of Nome’s infection. “They pretty much stay to themselves,” she said. “They have places to go, they stay out of the weather and our of public places.”

Anvil Mountain Correctional Facility received two prisoners from Kotzebue last week who tested positive for the virus. According to Department of Corrections spokesperson Sarah Gallagher all prisoners are tested upon remand and quarantined for 14 days before being introduced into the general population. Testing is performed as soon as possible upon arrival at the facility. They are using the rapid test, which has an answer in fifteen minutes. When an inmate tests positive they are immediately isolated and contact tracing begins. A call to the Kotzebue Police Department found they check a prisoner’s temperature when they are booked into the jail.