KNOM

Stebbins has one of the Norton Sound region’s worst COVID-19 outbreaks. It also lacks running water, which is forcing the community to get creative with sanitation measures.

Local residents told KNOM they worry that the virus is spreading more easily because of the number of people living in overcrowded homes with their extended families.

Gambell has instituted a hunker down mandate asking all residents to remain at home for two weeks.

Right now, according to NPD’s Evidence Custodian Paul Kosto, the state lab is taking about a year to process kits.

Searchers go out every day to look for Okpealuk, and the community held a prayer vigil Sept. 12th at Old St. Joseph’s park.

Law enforcement began searching for Florence Okpealuk last week, and a community-wide search began Saturday. Some women from Nome and Teller don’t think that response was fast enough.

NOAA says the debris may have been released in one place and time.

Community leaders in Gambell are encouraging residents to get tested and practice safety measures.

Empty shelves were a common sight in Stebbins even before the coronavirus began.

Most of the dead birds have been murres or horned puffins, and residents say they’re finding far fewer murre eggs.