Press Release
Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation
46411 Timíne Way, Pendleton, OR 97801
Phone: 541-276-3165
Fax: 541-276-3095
www.ctuir.org
For immediate release:
July 2, 2020
Contact:
Heather Anderson, Public Information Officer – Public Health, (541) 240-8727
Jiselle Halfmoon, Public Information Officer – Tribal Governance, (541) 969-4801Mission, OR – The Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation (CTUIR) Incident Command Team (ICT) has reduced the maximum allowable size of gatherings on the Umatilla Indian Reservation (UIR) to no more than 25 people indoors and no more than 50 people outdoors. The change is effective immediately.
The ICT, along with the Board of Trustees, urges community members to be proactive in reducing their risk of contracting or spreading COVID-19, particularly when attending or holding gatherings over the 4th of July weekend. The best way to protect yourself and others is to limit the number of in-person gatherings you attend and the number of individuals you are in close contact with. When attending gatherings, keep at least a six-foot distance between yourself and others who are not in your immediate household.
“The virus is spreading at social gatherings. It’s up to you to stop the spread,” said Kat Brigham, Chair of the Board of Trustees and member of the ICT. “We are enforcing the highest standards of protection at our entities. But if we want to move forward, all of us need to fight this. Please be safe whether in your back yard for a barbeque or anywhere you go outside your home.”
As of today, the number of confirmed positive COVID-19 cases on the UIR has increased to 21. Many of the individuals who have tested positive for COVID-19 have contracted the virus while at social events.
If you are at an event or in public where a six-foot distance cannot be maintained, wear a cloth face covering. After attending gatherings, it is recommended to monitor your symptoms for 14 days after attending. If you start to develop COVID-19 like symptoms, please contact your healthcare provider regarding testing.
Yellowhawk Tribal Health Center will share current totals for COVID-19 cases on the UIR and Yellowhawk test results each weekday. These updates can be found on Yellowhawk’s website at yellowhawk.org or on Yellowhawk’s Facebook page at facebook.com/Yellowhawk4U.
The Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation is made up of the Cayuse, Umatilla, and Walla Walla Tribes, formed under the Treaty of 1855 at the Walla Walla Valley, 12 statute 945. In 1949, the Tribes adopted a constitutional form of government to protect, preserve and enhance the treaty rights guaranteed under federal statute.
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