November 18, 2020

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 472 cases (this number includes positives and recovered) since the pandemic started in early April 2020. Of the 472 cases, 48 are currently positive and being monitored, 413 have recovered, 1 is currently hospitalized, and there are 11 reported deaths due to COVID-19.

Tribal health officials are seeing the younger population are more likely to spread the virus because they are out in the community and may not have symptoms. If you have a sick child, please keep them home and get them tested and encourage them to wear their facemasks at all times in the public.  According to Fort Hall I.H.S, there is a significant rise in positive cases in the community. 

With the holidays next week, health officials are predicting a spike in cases and are stressing to not have large gatherings with other families traveling in or coming from another home. According to health officials, when an asymptomatic (a carrier for the virus showing no symptoms) person is out in the community, they can have up to 7-19 days of spreading the virus to others.  

Tribal Health is currently experiencing a decrease in contact tracers. 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. Tribal contact tracers are (please take note of numbers in case you get a call from one of these tracers): Feliciana Fullmer is at 208-478-3901, Natasha Watson is at 971-724-6749 and Jarrod Williams is at 208-478-3906. 

We stress to everyone– Stay at home if you’re sick. 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).

Now is the time to get a Flu shot- 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 schedule a free flu shot.

Starting this 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 and will post on Tribes Facebook when there will be a next Facebook Live for next week due to Thanksgiving 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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Fort Hall COVID chart updated on November 17, 2020 at 5:58PM