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A COVID-19 community update from Dr. Shelton
Greetings to my community with good wishes and hope that all are staying safe and well!
I’ve been asked to give an update in regards to the COVID-19 epidemic. As you know, we are now in what is called the second wave and in Pierce County, averaging up to 90 new cases a day. There has been some evidence that this is peaking, but just yesterday there was a record high of over 120 cases.
Fortunately most of these cases do not represent people that are very ill, however some people do still get quite sick and our hospital numbers have been gradually climbing along with the second wave.
As you may have heard, at the PTHA clinic we have had our own mini outbreak with several staff members infected (fortunately none are ill). This is no surprise as the clinic is dealing with sick people all the time. It was bound to happen. However, it has created a situation where we have had to limit in-person visits while we complete testing, quarantine, and cleaning (to keep our patients safe). Hopefully we will be getting back to a more normal situation in a week or two.
The obvious lesson is that this COVID-19 situation is not going away and it is still very much with us! It is not a time to relax or forget about social distancing. We must continue to mask, keep 6 feet apart, wash our hands frequently, and stay at home as much as possible.
Overall our community has been very fortunate compared to many others areas which have higher rates of illness, hospitalization and death. We want this to continue, so please be vigilant.
Thank you! Please stay safe!
Dr. Alan Shelton, Medical Director, Puyallup Tribe
Frequently Asked Questions
A: EQC has opened safely and responsibly. Please be aware temperatures will be taken at the door and masked are required. Please visit https://www.emeraldqueen.com/ourcasinos/covid-19/ for more information.
A: : The 2020-21 school year will begin with a remote learning format for students at Chief Leschi Schools. Read the full statement here.
Meanwhile, Grandview Early Learning Center remains closed. Email Grandview@puyalluptribe-nsn.govfor questions its upcoming schedule.
A: Tribal Administration continues to provide essential tribal government services. Several buildings, including the Tribal Administration building, are only open to employees, and those with appointments. You can look up the contact information for each department and program currently operating at http://puyallup-tribe.com/services/directory.html.
If you have any questions or need to make an appointment, call 253-573-7800, ask for your specific department. Many tribal employees are working remotely from their homes, and are available by email and phone.
Everyone who needs to enter a government building is asked to wear a face covering and use hand sanitizer for the health and safety of our community. People who do not take these precautions will be denied access.
A: The Court is closed to the public and all docketed hearings shall be held via telephonic conference until further notice. If your hearing was continued or set for telephonic conference, you will receive notice in the mail. Visit the court page for more information.
A: The health and safety of our community is one of Tribal Council’s top priorities. Effective July 6, individuals are required to wear face coverings in most situations while on Tribal property. Read more through this link.
A: Yes, first, remember to wash your hands before and after you wear the mask. Avoid touching it after it is on your face. When inside, avoid touching the front of the face covering by taking it off from behind. The cloth face should securely cover the nose and mouth.
Click the image for more information
A:
Stay home.
Wash your hands often.
Stay home when you are sick.
Stay away from people who are sick.
If you have to go out, wear your face covering, stay 6 feet apart from others who are not in your household, wash your hands frequently, and stay local.
A:The House of Respect Residence has placed restrictions on who can visit Elders. To make an appointment to visit elders, call Russ Hanscom at 253-302-9523. Elders luncheons are canceled for safety.
The House of Respect Residence has placed restrictions on who can visit Elders. To make an appointment to visit elders, call Russ Hanscom at 253-302-9523. Elders luncheons are canceled for safety.
In order to protect themselves, their neighbors, and staff, all Residents in The House of Respect are strongly recommended to remain in the building under a self-quarantine. All tribal Elders in the community are urged to remain at home as well.
Elders will continue to be transported to vital medical appointments. Elders Department staff will also grocery shop for all tribal Elders who don’t have family members able to assist them.
The Elders Department remains open and staff are available to help all Tribal Elders for their essential needs.
A: Puyallup Tribal departments available to assist Elders with grocery/other necessities shopping include:
Elders Department
Mary Honhongva, Mary.L.Honhongva@puyalluptribe-nsn.gov, 253-722-6841 / 253-381-0787
Wrap Around
Shannel Janzen, Shannel.N.Janzen@PuyallupTribe-nsn.gov, 253-310-1855
Adult Services
Russ Hanscom, Russ.Hanscom@PuyallupTribe-nsn.gov, 253-302-9523
Many grocery store chains, including Safeway and Costco, are offering special senior-only hours, during the COVID-19 crisis. Several retailers, including Fred Meyer, Safeway and Amazon, also offer at-home grocery delivery. The Puyallup Tribal Elders Department continues to do shopping for the Elders on a weekly basis for its residents, as well as community elders.
Elders can make a list of what they need and the department does the shopping for them. At this time, staff members are not taking Elders shopping with them.
They’re transporting only to essential health related appointments. The Elder Department works closely with the Puyallup Tribal Health Authority and outside specialty doctors regarding those appointments.
The Elders center is providing sack lunches to those elders that would normally dine in at the Elders center. We have limited it to Mondays only from 11:30 a.m. -12:30 p.m. for pick up, with enough lunches to last the week.
Help prevent the spread of illness
Health officials are urging people to take extra precautions to help stop the spread of oronavirus. Here are some tips from the Puyallup Tribal Health Authority:
It is important to continue to wash hands with soap and hot water for 20 seconds; use hand sanitizer and sanitize your work areas often; use proper cough/sneeze protocols by coughing or sneezing into a tissue, or if a tissue isn’t available, cough or sneeze into the crook of your arm;
Don’t shake hands or fist bump; use an elbow bump, or greet with a smile or a nod;
Practice social distancing – try to keep at least a 6-foot distance between yourself and others. Also, stay away from large events such as sports, concerts, even movie theaters;
Stay home if you are sick and call your supervisor to them know;
If you are sick, don’t go to the doctor’s office, clinic or emergency room without calling first. Don’t meet in a group; consider holding meetings by conference call.
Health and Safety Information
Get your information from reliable sources:
The Washington State Department of Health
https://www.doh.wa.gov/Emergencies/Coronavirus
Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department
https://www.tpchd.org/healthy-people/human-coronavirus
Center for Disease Control
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html
Puyallup Tribal Court
Please read the General Order 2020-0006 here.
Please read the General Order 2020-0005 here.
Hours of Operation: Monday – Friday 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. AVAILABLE via Phone and Email
As of March 16,2020, the Tribal Court is CLOSED to the public during this COVID-19 pandemic. However, Court staff is available during regular hours to take questions via phone at (253) 680-5585 and/or documents with certificates of service via postal mail as usual or email to: TribalCourtFilings@PuyallupTribe-nsn.gov. Please be advised that this email is temporarily available during this time to receive filings only.
Please check the Court page for updates.
Emerald Queen Casino
The Emerald Queen Casino Fife and Tacoma are open. Read more on their website.
Our Employees
Tribal Administration remains open for essential tribal government services. However, the Tribal Administration and other buildings are open only to employees and to those with appointments. Employees are being encouraged to work from home.
If you have any questions, please call Tribal Administration's Human Resources office at (253) 573-7863 or the entity you work for.
Our Youth
Chief Leschi Schools are planning to open this upcoming school year. Grandview Early Learning Center and Little Wild Wolves Youth Center (except for funerals) are both closed until further notice.
Visit Chief Leschi Schools' website for more information. https://www.leschischools.org/
Our Elders
The House of Respect Residence has placed restrictions on who can visit Elders. To schedule a vist with an elder, contact Russ Hanscom, RN, MHA at 253-302-9523. Elders luncheons are canceled for safety.
In order to protect themselves, their neighbors, and staff, all Residents in The House of Respect are strongly recommended to remain in the building under a self-quarantine. All tribal Elders in the community are urged to remain at home as well.
Elders will continue to be transported to vital medical appointments. Elders Department staff will also grocery shop for all tribal Elders who don’t have family members able to assist them.
The Elders Department remains open and staff are available to help all Tribal Elders for their essential needs.
Our Events
All events have been postponed or cancelled until further notice.
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