Press Release from the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation
For immediate release: March 25, 2020
Contacts:
Carrie Sampson-Samuels, Public Information Officer – Public Health, (541) 240-8728
Jiselle Halfmoon, Public Information Officer – Tribal Governance, (541) 969-4801
CTUIR Command Incident Command Status Update
MISSION, Ore. – The Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation (CTUIR) Incident Command Team (ICT) is working on several plans to ensure the safety of the entire community. The ICT continues to monitor and manage the emerging situation concerning the COVID-19 pandemic. This is a very serious situation with Tribal, Local, National and International implications.
The ICT will share information on a frequent and regular basis as quickly as decisions are made. They have reviewed and considered all recommendations provided by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and Oregon Health Authority (OHA) as they become available, however, the CTUIR has the authority to choose how the guidance is used in our community.
As of 8:00am today, Oregon now has a total of 266 people who have been diagnosed with COVID-19, after the Oregon Health Authority announced 57 new cases of the novel coronavirus.
OHA is reporting new cases in the following counties: Benton (2), Clackamas (4), Douglas (2), Jackson (1), Josephine (1), Lane (1), Lincoln (1), Linn (5), Marion (11), Multnomah (8), Washington (20) and Yamhill (1). Additionally, the Oregon Health Authority reported that COVID-19 has claimed two more lives in Oregon, raising the state’s death total to ten.
Additionally, at 1:00PM today, the Umatilla County Health Department reported a new positive case of COVID-19 in Umatilla County. This new case brings the Umatilla County positive cases of COVID-19 to three.
Current CTUIR guidelines/updates as of March 25, 2020 at 5:00pm are as follows:
- The Nixyáawii Governance Center is closed from March 25 through March 29, 2020. Although CTUIR government offices will be closed, essential services will continue.
- The advertised fish and meat distribution that was scheduled for Friday, March 27, 2020 has been rescheduled for Friday, April 3, 2020. To request available stored (frozen) meat and or fish for family subsistence needs, subject to supply, contact the CTUIR Department of Children and Family Services at 541-429-7300. Priority will be given to seniors and those unable to provide for themselves.
- Effective at 5:00PM on Wednesday, March 25, 2020, Mission Market will be open for drive through orders only.
- Board of Trustees Chair Kat Brigham recorded a special message for the community regarding the recent changes and restrictions in place to protect our community from the spread of COVID-19; Tune in at the top of any hour on KCUW 104.3FM or listen online at https://soundcloud.com/kcuwradio (https://soundcloud.com/kcuwradioo souncloud.com and search “KCUW radio”.
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.
###
