FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

November 10, 2020

COVID19 WEEKLY UPDATE FOR THE FORT HALL RESERVATION

Fort Hall – the Tribal Office of Emergency Management (TOEM) officially report the weekly number of COVID-19 cases on the Fort Hall Reservation. 

The total number of tribal members impacted by COVID-19 is currently at 425 cases (this number includes positives and recovered) since the pandemic started in early April 2020. Of the 425 cases, 21 are currently positive and being monitored, 393 have recovered, 3 are currently hospitalized, and there are 11 reported deaths due to COVID-19. 

Last week, Tribal health officials stressed identifying those individuals who are contagious, with or without symptoms, will reduce the days of infectiousness and the spread of the virus. 

• Younger people are more likely to spread the virus because they are out in the community, and 7-10 days, and are contagious.  

• Those positive patients who have symptoms, are likely to be too ill to be out in the community, so they have 2-3 days of spreading of the virus.   

• The positive patients who are asymptomatic, are out in the community, and can have up to 7-19 days of spreading the virus.

If you are contacted by a ‘Contact Tracer’, it means that you were in close contact with someone that tested positive for COVID-19 and you will be instructed to schedule a COVID-19 test immediately and quarantine. Quarantining is important and to check if you develop COVID-19 symptoms and reduce the potential spread of COVID-19. 

If you get a message from a Contact Tracer, please return the phone call back immediately, so they can provide support.

We stress to everyone– Stay at home if you’re sick.  If you attend a funeral or large gathering, please wear a mask and try to stay 6 feet apart from other people.  Both I.H.S and HRSA offer free testing on the Reservation. If you think you have been exposed to someone sick with COVID-19 or have symptoms, call the IHS hotline at 208-238-5494 (Monday-Friday 8-5PM). 

For Tribal employees (repeated message), including the Casino/Hotel and Tribal Enterprises, if you are scheduled to have COVID-19 test, DO NOT return to work. Please quarantine yourself from work and family until you get your test results back and are cleared to return to work from the health official. Contact your Supervisor immediately when you schedule a test and do not return back to work. 

Flu Shots- Health officials are stressing to the Tribal membership to get a flu shot.  It is important in these times to be protected from other sicknesses like the flu.  Please visit the I.H.S. clinic to get a free flu shot. 

Starting next Thursday, November 19th and every 3rd Thursday of the month, there will be a Food Distribution of food boxes for the Fort Hall community at the Old Casino (south side). The Idaho Food Bank is teaming up with the Tribes to provide this community assistance. Please be early as there will only be 200 food boxes for EACH distribution, 1st come, 1st serve basis. Be prepared to answer: how many adults, children and seniors (elders) do you have in your household.  

There will be NO Facebook LIVE this week due to the short work week with the Tribes being closed on Wednesday, November 11th in observance of Veterans Holiday. 

For any health concerns and if you develop symptoms, please call Fort Hall Indian Health Service (I.H.S) at (208) 238-5494 (Monday-Friday, 8-5PM) or Community Health Center (HRSA) 208-478-3987. For tribal resources check out the Tribes COVID-19 website at http://sbtribes.com/covid-19/.   

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FH COVID chart: updated as of November 10, 2020 at 12:03PM.