The Alaska village of Stebbins is in community lockdown after a surge in Covid-19 cases, according to the regional health organization.
Norton Sound Health Corp. announced the lockdown in a news release Monday, saying the lockdown would stay in place until no new cases are identified for 14 days. They said Thursday that there were three more positive Covid-19 cases in Stebbins, bringing the total of active cases to 45.
The lockdown began seven days ago, Norton Sound Health Corp. said.
Citing the Stebbins Community Association, Norton Sound Health Corp. said that during the lockdown, visiting between households or other communities is not allowed and everyone should wear a mask in public indoor spaces.
“There is a 10-person limit at the store, and a five-person limit at the laundromat,” the release said. “There will be no bingo during this time, and there is a curfew of 10 p.m.”
According to Norton Sound Health Corp, there are 51 active Covid-19 cases in the region, with the 45 in Stebbins, three in Nome and three in regional villages that “have requested that their village not be identified.”
As of the end of July, 42% of the 676 residents of Stebbins were fully vaccinated, and 45% have received a first dose.
“Stebbins experienced a Covid-19 outbreak last fall, which took nearly two months to recover from. The residents there know what it takes to overcome an outbreak, and now everyone 12 years and older has the added benefit of accessibility to Covid-19 vaccines,” Norton Sound Health Corp. said in the release.
