Lummi advises canceling travel outside Whatcom — even by car — to mitigate COVID-19
The Lummi Public Health Department “strongly recommends” community members cancel all travel outside of Whatcom County — even by car — and to self-isolate for up to 14 days upon return if travel is necessary to limit the spread of novel coronavirus.
“We are seeing cases with Lummi Community where people who travel outside Whatcom County and return with symptoms possibly infecting other members,” the Lummi Public Health Department said in a release Wednesday evening, March 11.
A Facebook post of the release by Lummi Communications said there are no confirmed COVID-19 cases for the Lummi Nation, and the Whatcom County Health Department has reported just one in the rest of the county.
To help limit the spread, the Lummi health department is suggesting:
▪ Canceling all travel — both by airline and car — outside of Whatcom County to areas of high risk, including King and Snohomish counties and California.
▪ Those who do travel should consider self-quarantine for up to 14 days upon return to protect the rest of the Lummi community.
For those who don’t travel, the department asked the community to remain vigilant to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 by utilizing:
Social distancing: Avoid public gatherings, stay 6 feet away from each other when possible and avoid shaking hands.
Hand washing: Wash hands for at least 20 seconds as often as possible using soap and water or alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
Avoid public areas: Stay away from high-traffic areas, such as restaurants, the mall, casinos, movie theaters and other public venues.
Protect elders: Those 60 and older are asked to avoid public places, stay home if possible and restrict visitors into their home.
Self-isolation: “If you are sick ... PLEASE STAY HOME and do not go to work.”
A follow-up response by Lummi Communications on the Facebook post to a question about testing added that Lummi Nation members who have symptoms should call the Lummi Tribal Health Center at 360-384-0464, and a staff member will triage over the phone. The clinic is open daily until 6 p.m.
The release also suggests questions should be directed to the Lummi Public Health line at 360-383-8251.
About coronavirus
COVID-19, which stands for coronavirus disease 2019, is the name of the illness that first appeared in late 2019 in Wuhan, China, before spreading to other countries, including the U.S. It is caused by a virus named SARS-CoV-2.
The disease is spread through contact between people within six feet of each other — what’s referred to as close contact — especially through coughing and sneezing that expels respiratory droplets that land in the mouths or noses of people nearby.
The CDC says it’s possible to catch COVID-19 by touching something that has the virus on it, and then touching your own face, “but this is not thought to be the main way the virus spreads.”
Symptoms — cough, fever, difficulty breathing — may occur two days to two weeks after exposure. Although most of the cases have been mild, the disease is especially dangerous for the elderly and others with weaker immune systems.
Stay informed
▪ https://whatcomcounty.us/ncov. Email general questions about COVID-19 in Whatcom County to covid@co.whatcom.wa.us.
▪ doh.wa.gov/Emergencies/Coronavirus. Call a hotline at 1-800-525-0127 and then press # for questions about what is happening in Washington state, how the virus spreads, and what to do if you have symptoms.
▪ cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html.
▪ cob.org/services/safety/emergencies/Pages/covid-19.aspx
