COVID cases spike
Since last week, COVID cases in the region have jumped significantly, rising last week to 164 cases regionwide. As of press time on Tuesday, Norton Sound Health Corporation reports 92 active cases in the region with 47 cases in Nome, 12 in Unalakleet, seven in Shaktoolik, six in Gambell, six in White Mountain, five in Koyuk, four in Savoonga, four in Teller and one case in Shishmaref.
The week in numbers
Tuesday, January 17 saw 95 active cases in the region, with 61 in Nome, six in Shishmaref, ten cases in Unalakleet and 10 in Gambell, two cases in Koyuk and one each in White Mountain and Brevig Mission. There were four cases in Savoonga, with one patient having been medivaced to Nome.
Wednesday, January 18, NSHC reported 120 active cases, with 74 in Nome, five cases in Shishmaref, 10 cases in Unalakleet, 14 cases in Gambell, four cases in Savoonga, 12 cases in Koyuk and one case in Shaktoolik.
On January 19, Thursday, case numbers spiked to 164 in the region. Of those infections, 91 cases were in Nome, three in Shishmaref, ten in Unalakleet, 18 cases in Gambell, 10 cases in Savoonga, 21 cases in Koyuk, nine cases in Shaktoolik and two cases in White Mountain.
Over the weekend, numbers dropped to 90 active cases with 52 in Nome, two cases in Shishmaref, four cases in Unalakleet, five cases in Gambell, one case in Savoonga, 13 cases in Koyuk,11 cases in Shaktoolik and two cases in White Mountain.
The Alaskan Dept of Health reminds that people with symptoms of COVID-19 should get tested immediately. Those who test positive should notify contacts who may have been exposed. People with COVID19 should isolate for at least five full days after their symptoms start (or positive test result in asymptomatic people) and wear a mask after leaving isolation.
People who have been exposed to COVID-19 should wear a mask for 10 full days and get tested at least 5 full days after exposure.
In Alaska, there were 655 cases between Jan. 15 and Jan. 21. Currently, there are 52 patients hospitalized with COVID. Since March, 1,436 Alaskans have died of the disease.
Since the beginning of the pandemic, NSHC reported 7,292 cases of COVID, including 5,227 cases since Dec. 1, 2021 which marked the beginning of the highly infections Omicron wave. There were seven COVID-related deaths reported.