Warm Springs, OR — December 17, 2020
Contact: Louie Pitt, Jr.
Director Government Affairs & Planning
Email: louie.pitt@wstribes.org
Phones: 541-553-3540/541-777-1359
“As of 8:32am, 12/17/2020 – Warm Springs Health ness Center has sent in or tested 6235 Total Tests, 5648 Total Negative, 1 Test Pending, 559 Total Positive Cases, 27 Total Invalid, 62 Hospitalized, 57 Discharged, 14 Deaths, 73 Positive test from other facilities, 632 Total. 12/16 – a total of 42 tested, 2 new positive, 23 total positives for the week., 34 Rapid, 1 positive, 8 BinaxNow, 0 positive; 0 State, 0 positive returned from State, 1 positive reported by Other Healthcare Facility, 5 Current Hospitalization, 1 on ventilator, 1 new COVID related deaths; There are currently 74 persons with active COVID-19 receiving daily monitoring by Tribal and IHS staff and 158 close contacts receiving daily monitoring by IHS staff. Flu Vaccine numbers – Community at 22.5%.” Hyllis D. Dauphinais, Sr. CEO, Portland Area Indian Health Service, Warm Springs Health and Wellness Center, 541-553-2176 (phone)
Vaccine planning has been taking place between the Warm Springs Covid-19 Response team, Indian Health Service and the Warm Springs Tribal Council. “The initial shipment (200 doses) would be enough for front-line health workers serving the tribal community; plus staff and residents of High Lookee Lodge.” Said Dr. Rachel Locker, clinic vaccine coordinator. “The first shipments to Warm Springs will be the Moderna vaccine, found to be “highly effective” against Covid-19: final testing shows the Moderna vaccine to have 94 percent efficacy against the virus.” Spilyay Tymoo, 12-16-20
The Moderna vaccine has yet to join Pfizer’s vaccine, needing the approval of food and Drug Administration. The FDA panel is meeting currently on possible approval of Moderna’s vaccine. We wxpect, when approved, timelines will be similar to Pfizer’s-distribution next week.
Remember: the vaccine is just one tool to fight this deadly virus—wearing masks, social distancing, washing hands often, avoid gatherings, go or stay home if ill. We have to use the complete treatments to slow the spread of this disease.
Stay Home, Stay Healthy
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