Warm Springs reports four positive cases of COVID-19

Initial cases were tied to attendees of Celilo Village salmon feast

WARM SPRINGS, Ore. (KTVZ) -- The Warm Springs Indian Reservation reported Friday it has now had four positive cases of COVID-19, several days after reporting its first two cases, apparently tied to a salmon feast at Celilo Village over Easter weekend.

On Tuesday, the tribes said anyone who attended the feast may have been exposed to the virus and urged any attendees to call Warm Springs Public Health at (541) 553-2460, the Warm Springs Health & Wellness nurse line at (541) 553-5512 or the after-hours line at (866) 470-2015.

Anyone who attended the event was urged to stay home until Sunday, even if they don't show symptoms or have a negative test.

By late Friday afternoon, Warm Springs Health and Wellness Center reported it had sent in or tested 73 samples, with 65 negative, four positive and four pending, according to CEO Hyllis Dauphinais Sr.

"The importance of social distancing (stay at least 6 feet away from other persons) wearing face masks, washing your hands frequently, use hand disinfectant and avoiding crowds all help to protect our health and lives," said an announcement from tribal Director of Government Affairs & Planning Louie Pitt Jr.

Tribal Community Health staff have been working on contact tracing of those who tested positive, using Oregon Health Authority guidelines.

Pitt told NewsChannel 21 Friday night that patient confidentiality requirements limit the sharing of personal information, such as whether the positive cases attended the Celilo Village event.

All people who may have been around someone who is positive are asked to stay home for at least 14 days to make sure they do not develop cough, fever or shortness of breath, according to Katie Russell, Community Health Services manager for the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs.