Covid Community Update: 27 May

Warm Springs, OR May 27, 2020

Contact: Louie Pitt, Jr.
Director Government Affairs & Planning
Email: louie.pitt@wstribes.org
Phones: 541-553-3540/541-777-1359

“As of 4:15p on 5/27/2020 – Warm Springs Health and Wellness Center has sent in or tested 371 Total Tests, with 347 Total Negative, 3 Test Pending and 18 Total Positive cases, 3 Total Invalid and 17 Recovered. Note – the STATE lab is taking 24-48 hours for results. We continue to do random surveillance testing of our high-risk community members. We will begin a broader surveillance of the CTWS employees, as staff begin to return to work in the coming weeks.” CoVID-19 Brief & Update, Hyllis Dauphinais, Sr., CEO, Warm Springs Health and Wellness Center.

Tribal Council informed the Warm Springs CoVID-19 Response team of it’s decision to open up fishing with guides, boating and camping areas on and near the reservation. The Response team reminded them of overarching understanding that a safe, phased opening of the tribal government “…..is contingent upon the Corona Virus-19 numbers and community safety.” Our neighboring counties, Deschutes, Jefferson and Wasco are opening which remains a concern due to the possible interaction of people coming on to the reservation. The notification of a positive case tempered the opening discussion that Corona Virus-19 is still with us. The Indian Head Casino requested and received approval from Tribal Council to reopen June 8, 2020, “….contingent upon the virus numbers.” The “New Normal” has tribal government, enterprises like Indian Head Casino with some new looks – safety measures inside and outside of their business areas.

Remember Tribal Member and Guests, Corona Virus-19 is spread person to person. Masks, social distancing, avoiding groups are tools that work. Our Tribal Government and Health Professionals are doing all they can to lessen danger but it is up to you to make wise choices to protect yourself, families and community.

STAY HOME, SAVE LIVES

Press Release 5-27-2020

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