COVID-19 UPDATE ON THE FORT HALL RESERVATION

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

August 11, 2020

COVID-19 UPDATE ON THE FORT HALL RESERVATION

Fort Hall- the Tribal Office of Emergency Management (TOEM) officially reports (2) new COVID-19 cases on the Fort Hall Reservation, bringing the total to 92 cases since the pandemic started in early April. Of the 92 cases, 31 are currently positive and being monitored, 60 have recovered to-date, 1 is currently hospitalized and 1 confirmed death. Test results are compiled and reported by the Fort Hall Indian Health Clinic and Community Health Center (HRSA). The Fort Hall COVID19 Chart data will vary daily based on testing results from both health centers. The chart will be updated every Tuesday by the Tribal Office of Emergency Management. 

The Tribes will go live this Thursday, August 13, 2020 at 12’noon to provide a COVID19 update for the Fort Hall community. Updates include from Acting Chairman, Incident Commander and Tribal Health officials with an update on the importance of Contact Tracing. 

The Emergency team is also working with the Tribal Health on educational PSA’s that focus on “What to do when you are tested positive for COVID19” and “What does a Contact Tracer Do.” These PSA’s will be short informational videos highlighting current safety concerns related to COVID19.  

Tribal health officials continue to stress to the younger generation to please wear a facemask when you are outside of your home, social distance from others and continue to wash your hands when you return home. If you feel sick, quarantine yourself from your elderly family members and call Fort Hall Clinic at 208-238-5494 to speak with a nurse to schedule a test. Please note that same day testing is not available due to the high demand.  If you are experiencing a high fever and difficulty breathing please call the ER to speak to a nurse for immediate care and self-quarantine yourself from your family. 

According to Tribal Health officials, if you are contacted by a ‘Contact Tracer’, the individual will be instructed to isolate and schedule a testing immediately. COVID symptoms include a fever (temperature 100.4 or higher), cough, shortness of breath, headache, muscle and body aches, sore throat, fatigue/extreme tiredness, GI symptoms (nausea, vomiting, diarrhea), and loss of taste and smell. Each of our Tribal health centers, including I.H.S, Tribal Health and HRSA have tribal contact tracers actively monitoring positive individuals. Due to the increase of positive cases, Contract Tracers have been hired at HRSA and Tribal Health. We ask community members to be honest when a tracer contacts you and/or to answer the phone call. This is very important in order to safeguard you, your family and the community.  

We encourage families to help ‘do your part’ by communicating with your loved ones to take action on implement good habits to prevent the spread of germs, here are some helpful tips:

1. Avoid close contact with people who are sick. Stay at home if you are sick, except to get medical care. 

2. WEAR A FACE MASK- the Tribes now mandate a facemask to be worn in all tribal facilities. 

3. Avoid public gatherings (Recommendation from CDC is 10 people or less, this includes birthday gatherings, family BBQ’s, sweat lodges, peyote meetings, partying, etc.).

4. Wash hands often with soap and water for 20 seconds, especially blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing or have been in a public place (Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue). If soap and water are not available, use a hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.

5. Avoid touching your face, nose, eyes, etc.

6. Clean and disinfect your home frequently touched objects and surfaces.

7. Avoid all non-essential Travel to hot spots outside of your area. 

For any health concerns, please call Fort Hall Indian Health Service (I.H.S) at 208-238-5400 (Monday-Friday, 8-5PM) or Community Health Center (HRSA) 208-478-3987. Please note there has been an increase of phone calls, so please be patient with both health facilities. For tribal resources check out the Tribes COVID19 website at www.sbtribes.com and click on COVID19. For general questions on Idaho COVID-19, call the Hotline at 1-888-330-3010.

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