On May 22nd Red Lake Chairman Daryl Seki announced one person on the Red Lake nation had tested positive for Covid 19.
SEKI: As of today Red Lake Hospital has administered 117 tests, 1 has tested positive.
The virus can spread through respitory droplets – like spit, mucous and saliva – in the air and possibly from those droplets landing on surfaces that people touch.
Seki said the tribe is working with the Minnesota Department of Health on contact tracing.
That’s when a team of health workers call every person who has been exposed – to the one who tested positive for Covid-19.
Contract tracing can limit the spread of the virus by identifying those who have been exposed and giving them information and support for what to do next.
Seki asked for continued cooperation from all tribal and community members.
SEKI: One, during the upcoming months if any authority tells you you have been exposed, please follow their direction. Two, if a friend or family member tells you you have been exposed, you should go home, stay home and call us immediately for further instructions. (:26)
Chairman Seki says The Red Lake hospital will continue to test for Covid-19.
SEKI: Please continue to call our nurse hotline if you have respitory symptoms such as fever, dry cough or shortness of breath or think you have been exposed. (:15)
If you feel sick or think you’ve been exposed, call your health care provider and ask for help.
Within the last month, the Mille Lacs, and Leech Lake Bands of Ojibwe have also reported one case each of Covid-19.
Lastly, there’s a lot of news about how dangerous this virus is for elderly people. And it is – dangerous.
But it might be interesting to know that according to state department of health numbers, statewide, the greatest number of Covid-19 cases is found among young adults ages 20-39.