submitted by Randy’L Teton, COVID19 PIO on behalf of the Tribes Emergency Operations Center (EOC)

Fort Hall–   Happy New Year Fort Hall! We look forward to working diligently on getting information out to our community through social media, TV and newspaper. The Tribes Health workers at I.H.S, HRSA and Tribal Health all deserve an applause for keeping open during the holiday season to keep our community healthy. Of course, a lot of the screening and testing would not be possible without our friends from the National Guard and CDC, thank you! 

Our numbers are in for this week whereas the active cases have decreased in the last week but in the last two weeks, we have had four additional COVID19 deaths. These deaths have deeply impacted our community and we continue to pray for our community and the families in mourning.  

Please keep in mind the numbers fluctuate daily based upon the COVID19 screenings taken place on the Reservation. A flyer of the January 2021 testing dates/locations has been posted on the Tribes Facebook page and will be in the Sho-Ban newspaper starting on January 7^th. 

The data below is received as of January 4, 2021 at 4:00PM. 

Note: These numbers change daily. The Contact Tracers are taking people off the total active cases and adding new positive cases every day.   

As of Monday, January 4, 2021– 

Total tests administered (rapid and PCR) at I.H.S: 172 tests with 3 positives

Vaccinations administered for the day is: 45  

Total vaccinations given to date (as 1/4/21): 275 doses of Moderna vaccine 

Eagle Lodge screening: 136 tested/ 28 of whom were symptomatic and received the PCR test in addition to the BinaxNOW rapid test.

• Next Food Distribution is this Thursday, January 21^st at 4PM at the old casino parking lot, first come, first served 

• The Tribes Communication Team have been working hard to get videos, commercials, billboards and other media needs out to the community both on and off the reservation to inform everyone on the Tribes active role in keeping safe. The latest PSA’s released include:   Krissy Broncho, Program Manager with the Shoshone-Bannock Tribes Counseling and Family Services Program, shares ways to strengthen our mental health during the pandemic; and Erin Brownley, Tribal Dietitian from the Shoshone-Bannock Tribes Diabetes Program, gives us an overview of ways to stay healthy during the pandemic. Both of the PSA’s are available on the Tribes COVID website and Tribes official Facebook page to view, like and share on your social media. 

• Shoshone-Bannock Vaccine Plan to Include ALL Elders 65 years and older (both fluent and non-fluent speakers). We are asking elders 65 and older to call and schedule a vaccine at 208-238-5427 or 208-238-5435. They are open Monday-Friday from 8AM to 5PM.  According to Tribal Enrollment, we have 575 enrolled members that are 65 years and older. We ask that when you are called to please keep the appointment. The vaccine comes in a package of 10 doses and all need to be administered during the same time period. So, these appointments are very important to keep. If you are in need of a ride please let the health representative know when you are scheduling the vaccine.

• Shoshone-Bannock Casino Hotel canceled all events until after March 2021 at minimum due to COVID19.

• The Tribes Facebook Live will be every Thursday at 12-1PM on the Tribes official Facebook page, follow: @shoban tribes.  The dates are: January 7^th, January 14, the third week will be on Friday, Jan 22^nd and January 28^th. Join us for weekly Covid19 updates. 

• A total of Please be safe Fort Hall! The virus is contagious, please keep your hands washed and keep your home sanitized. Do not attend large gatherings more than 10 people that are not from your household. 

Click on the Tribes COVID19 website for ongoing updates on facemask mandate, Tribal PSA’s, Facebook live recordings, etc.  http://sbtribes.com/covid-19/

Note: this information has been posted on the Tribes official FB page to share.