There has been a recent increase in COVID-19 cases on the reservation. Below are some reminders of ways to prevent COVID-19 and what to do if you test positive.
Ways to Prevent Respiratory Illness
• Wash your hands frequently. Use soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.
• If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. If your hands are visibly dirty, then make sure to use soap and running water since sanitizing products will not remove the dirt.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
• Stay home if you feel ill. Do not send your child to school or daycare if they are ill.
• Avoid contact with others if you are feeling ill, especially our most vulnerable relatives such as infants and elders.
• Wear a mask in crowded areas.
• Stay up to date on all vaccines. Call public health to check your vaccination status.
If You Test Positive for COVID19:
Stay home and away from others (including people you live with who are not sick) if you have respiratory virus symptoms that aren't better explained by another cause. These symptoms can include fever, chills, fatigue, cough, runny nose, and headache, among others.
• You can go back to your normal activities when, for at least 24 hours, both are true:
o Your symptoms are getting better overall, and
o You have not had a fever (and are not using fever-reducing medication).
• When you go back to your normal activities, take added precaution over the next 5 days, such as taking additional steps for cleaner air, hygiene, masks, physical distancing, and/or testing when you will be around other people indoors.
• Keep in mind that you may still be able to spread the virus that made you sick, even if you are feeling better. You are likely to be less contagious at this time, depending on factors like how long you were sick or how sick you were.
• If you develop a fever or you start to feel worse after you have gone back to normal activities, stay home and away from others again until, for at least 24 hours, both are true: your symptoms are improving overall, and you have not had a fever (and are not using fever-reducing medication). Then take added precaution for the next 5 days.