Round Valley Indian Tribes Experiencing the Most Severe COVID-19 Outbreak Since the Pandemic Began

In mid-March 2020 the Round Valley Indian Tribes declared a State of Emergency due to the COVID-19 Pandemic. Out of an abundance of caution, Tribal President, James A. Russ, and Tribal Council made the decision to enact the emergency declaration in the interest of the health and well-being of our tribe and community members. By authority, the Round Valley Indian Tribes is re-implementing the order to reduce the current COVID-19 positivity rate. Tribal Leadership continues to fully support this effort.

The Round Valley Indian Tribes is acutely aware that our community is currently experiencing the most severe outbreak since the beginning of the pandemic. There are 87 “active positive cases” of COVID-19 in Round Valley. All are in isolation and family members/close contacts are in quarantine. There have been two deaths in the past two weeks due to COVID and there are currently 7 individuals in the hospitals within Mendocino County.

The State of California announced a re-opening process on June 15th and more businesses started opening up. With the current spike RVIT has tightened back up on our precautionary measures. Depending on our positivity rate we may move back to full closures and sheltering in place for all Tribal offices.

RVIT continues to work closely with the health care community in Mendocino County, the California Department of Public Health, Tribal Epidemiology Center out of Sacramento and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to prevent the risk of exposure and spread of the virus.

As a reminder:
The best way to reduce your risk of becoming infected with, or spreading the COVID-19 coronavirus, is to practice Basic Precautions, we encourage everyone to:

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• Wash your hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer when soap and water is not available
• Avoid eating, or touching your eyes, nose or mouth with unwashed hands
• Stay away from people who are visibly sick
• Always cover your coughs and sneezes using a tissue, or the crook of your elbow
• People who are sick should stay home from work, schools or public places until they are well
• If you have any of the following symptoms, please contact your regular primary care provider, and let them know if you have been around someone who had COVID-19 coronavirus:
  • Fever
  • Cough
  • Difficulty breathing

Please take time to make sure our Tribal Elders have regular meals and clean drinking water and are kept safe in this time of great need and concern. This is a fast-moving event, and the Round Valley Indian Tribes ask that we take every necessary step and do what we can to protect our elders and vulnerable populations, as well as our tribal and community members.