TOEM reports 30 current positive COVID-19 cases monitored on Fort Hall Reservation
Fort Hall COVID-19 chart as of Wednesday, October 14. (Submitted graphic)
FORT HALL — The Tribal Office of Emergency Management (TOEM) officially reports there are 30 current positive COVID-19 cases being monitored on the Fort Hall Indian Reservation.
TOEM monitors 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 324 cases (the number includes positives and recovered) since the pandemic started in early April 2020. Of the 324 cases, 283 have recovered, 1 is currently hospitalized, and there are 6 reported deaths because of COVID-19.
October 13, the Tribes Tribal Youth Education Program (TYEP) was officially closed because of a potential exposure to COVID-19. According to Program Manager, Jessica James, “The Tribal Youth Education tutoring and after school program will be closed this week until October 26, we apologize for the inconvenience and will keep everyone updated on providing tutoring virtually, please check our official Facebook page for updates.” The TYEP house is being deep cleaned and does not affect other departments.
The Tribes continue to stress to please wear your face mask in all public settings, both indoors and outdoors. This definitely includes family gatherings birthday parties, cookouts, funerals. If you cannot postpone them, consider holding them outside where there are better air flow and people can stay farther apart and limit outside guests into your home.
For Tribal employees, including the Casino Hotel, if you are scheduled to have COVID-19 test, DO NOT return to work. Please quarantine yourself from work and family until you get your test results back and are cleared to return to work from the health official. This safeguards others from being exposed.
TOEM is stressing to everyone to stay at home if you’re sick, wash your hands, social distance by staying 6 feet apart. Both I.H.S and HRSA offer free testing on the Reservation. If you think you have been exposed or have symptoms, call the IHS hotline at 208-238-5494 (Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.).
If you are contacted by a “Contact Tracer” the individual will be instructed to isolate and schedule a testing immediately. COVID-19 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.
For any health concerns, please call Fort Hall Indian Health Service (I.H.S) at 208-238-5494 (Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.) or Community Health Center (HRSA) 208-478-3987. For tribal resources check out the Tribes COVID-19 website at www.sbtribes.com
