Lummi Nation reports possible coronavirus exposure for food assistance group
The Lummi Public Health Department reported in a Facebook post Sunday evening, May 3, reported that the Lummi Nation Commod Squad has been notified of a possible exposure to a known case of COVID-19.
The squad has taken precautionary measures and is following directions from the Lummi health department, the release said. It is also working with the public health team, the general manager and the Lummi Indian Business Council (LIBC) to ensure food bank services will continue on Friday, May 8.
“Lummi Commod Squad, Lummi Public Health Team and LIBC are fully committed to continuing to provide the best services while also following all health and safety precautions to protect the staff, clients and the community,” the release read.
The Commod Squad, or Lummi Community Services Department, provides food and energy assistance to low income households within the Lummi community. Some of its services include commodity foods, nutrition education, energy assistance, wood cutting, a food bank, clothing and diapers and holiday food baskets.
Full Lummi community food services are expected to resume May 14.
As of Saturday, May 2, the Lummi Tribal Health Center was reporting 40 community members had tested positive for COVID-19. Another 370 people have been tested for coronavirus infection, two of which were indeterminate.
Of the 40 positive cases, Lummi reported 21 people had recovered, and Lummi has not reported any deaths linked to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Lummi Indian Business Council on March 22 ordered all people living on the Lummi Reservation in Whatcom County to shelter in place due to the coronavirus outbreak.
But with two new positive cases announced Saturday on Facebook, the Lummi community reported 15 new cases in a three-day period between April 30 and May 2. On Friday, the Lummi health department said that the first 13 new cases in that surge all involved people younger than 40.
“It is apparent that families and their children are not following the ‘Shelter in Place’ order and not practicing social distancing,” the Lummi health department statement Friday read. “Part of this new cluster involves families visiting other households.”
To curb that trend, Lummi Behavioral Health earlier Sunday said it was making available laminated “Stop” signs at the health clinic and hand sanitizer filling stations this week for families to hand on their front door with the message, “This house is doing our part to protect the community.”
The Lummi Indian Business Council also extended the “Shelter in Place” order through May 31 and added a curfew from 10 p.m. to 4 a.m. for residents of the reservation.
“The health of the community depends on us each doing our part to shelter in place and follow public health guidelines. Place this sign on your front door to show that you are doing your part to protect the community,” the release read.
As of Sunday, the Whatcom County Health Department was reporting 317 positive COVID-19 cases and 27 related deaths.
This story was originally published May 4, 2020 at 7:54 AM.
