Public Health Officer reminds residents to follow all personal safety recommendations
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
Matt Mais
(707) 954-0976
In response to a rising number of COVID 19 cases in the local area, the Yurok Incident Command Team would like to remind everyone to remain consistent in following all personal safety recommendations.
In the last week, the number of confirmed cases increased on the neighboring Hoopa Reservation. In Humboldt County there have been 70 new cases since July 15. To date, there have been no confirmed cases on the Yurok Reservation. However, Yurok citizens living off the reservation have tested positive for the illness.
“We encourage the Tribal membership to exercise caution because of the local increase in cases,” said Angie Brown, the Yurok Tribe’s Public Health Officer. “It is extremely important for everyone to consistently practice all personal safety measures. Wearing a mask, practicing physical distancing, routine hand washing and avoiding gatherings large and small are the most effective actions we can take to keep our community safe. It is also advised to forgo all visits with anyone outside of your immediate household.”
The Public Health Officer also recommended that residents, who believe they are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms, including a fever and difficulty breathing, get tested for COVID 19. The local tribal healthcare providers, such as United Indian Health Services and K’ima:w Medical Center, are currently testing symptomatic individuals. Del Norte, Humboldt and Trinity Counties are offering free tests for non symptomatic individuals. For additional information about testing in your area, please see the following links:
• http://unitedindianhealthservices.org/coronavirus/
• https://kimaw.org/
• https://www.covid19.dnco.org/testing
• https://humboldtgov.org/2787/COVID Test Registration
If you are non Tribal citizen living on the reservation and you are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms, please contact your primary healthcare provider to schedule a COVID-19 test.
On March 13, The Yurok Tribal Council proactively issued a state of emergency declaration to activate the Tribe’s Incident Command Team, which has been working around the clock to address the many facets of this crisis. Currently, the reservation is closed to non emergency personnel. The Yurok Tribal Council has instituted an order requiring residents to wear masks when outside of the home. Also, all tribal offices and non essential businesses are closed to the public.
Residents can find up to date information about the Tribe’s response to this crisis by visiting Yurokoes.org. Community members in need of assistance are encouraged to call the COVID 19 hotline. The hotline number is 1-888-225-8952.
The lack of confirmed cases on the reservation is a testament the Tribe’s early activation of the Incident Command Team an d the implementation of several safety orders that were put in place to minimize the spread of the virus. Yurok Reservation residents’ commitment to practicing all of the recommended personal safety strategies has also played an invaluable role in this eff ort and is critical to the continued success of the response to this crisis.
As of August 5, there have been 245 confirmed COVID 19 cases in Humboldt County and 90 in Del Norte County.
Due to the increasing presence of the virus near the reservation, the
Yurok Incident Command team strongly encourages residents to follow all personal safety recommendations:
• Maintain a minimum of 6 feet of personal space from individuals outside of the household
• Always wear a face covering outside of the home (Wash reusable mask frequently, only use single use masks once)
• Shelter in place traveling outside of the county is not recommended
• Due to the reservation closure order, accepting guests from outside of the area is not permitted
• Do not attend gatherings large or small, including visiting extended family and friends
• Avoid all contact with anyone exhibiting COVID 19 symptoms
• Disinfect common touch points in the home
• Practice cough and sneeze etiquette (cover your sneezes and coughs with your arm. Wash hands immediately after cough or sneeze for additional protection)
• Perform frequent handwashing Wash hands every two hours for 20 30 seconds with water and soap)
• If you are ill, please self isolate and contact your medical provider
• Reminder: If you feel slightly unwell and have one or more of the common symptoms of COVID 19, it is advised to stay home from work
With more than 6,200 citizens, the Yurok Tribe is the largest federally recognized Tribe in California. The Yurok Reservation stretches for 44 miles up the Klamath River, which is located on the coast near the California/Oregon Border. For current COVID 19 updates, please visit the Yurok Tribe’s social media pages or Yurokoes.org or call 1 888 225 8952.