MISSION – The number of positive COVID-19 cases on the Umatilla Indian Reservation hit 100 as of Nov. 3, according to the Incident Command Team (ICT) for the Confederated Tribes.
Meanwhile all of the staff at the Umatilla Tribal Fire Department who tested positive have completed their quarantine and have returned to work, according to information from the ICT.
As of Friday, Oct. 30, there were a dozen active cases among the community members served by Yellowhawk Tribal Health Center.
ICT reported that 1,664 tests had been completed at Yellowhawk as of Nov. 2. Of those, 1,564 were negative.
ICT has not issued new guidance since mid-September, “although we continue to monitor case activity and discuss whether additional action are needed.” The current guidelines can be found by clicking on the “CTUIR COVID-19 Information Website” tab on the right-hand side of the main CTUIR.org webpage.
ICT is “very concerned” about the holiday season and indoor gatherings. A postcard is being sent to all Tribal member households with a reminder about maintaining safety standards, including wearing masks, distancing, and gatherings of no more than 25 people.
Also, a new video has been produced with a testimonial from Tribal member Virginia Conner regarding her experience with the coronavirus.
CTUIR Public Safety Director Rob Burnside has taken the lead for the ICT following the resignation of Ted Wright, the Tribes’ former executive director.
