Tribal government begins three-week pause due to uptick in COVID-19 cases

By Danielle Harrison

Smoke Signals staff writer

The Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde government will begin a three-week pause effective Tuesday, Aug. 3, due to an uptick in COVID-19 cases. Non-essential employees are being encouraged to work from home. 

It is the first COVID-related pause in almost three months. General Manager David Fullerton announced the news via e-mail late Monday afternoon.

“We all want to put this behind us, but the COVID-19 pandemic is far from over,” he said. “Practice social distancing, wash your hands and wear a mask. Let’s work together to get past this.”

Employees are encouraged to work from home if possible. Staff members who are unable to work remotely will be given administrative leave. Additionally, the campus will be closed to visitors and guests. Essential employees who report to work will be required to wear masks.

All local events and any planned essential travel should be postponed.  

According to the Tribal government website, www.grandronde.org, there were 16 active COVID-19 cases being monitored by the Health & Wellness Center on Monday, Aug. 2.

In all, Tribal health care workers have vaccinated more than 20,666 people ages 12 and older, and more than 9,941 of those doses have gone into the arms of people 55 or older.

The uptick in COVID-19 cases nationwide has been attributed to the Delta variant, which the CDC has said is far more contagious than the original strain, and that some vaccinated people can get Delta in a breakthrough infection and may be contagious. However, vaccinated individuals represent a very small amount of transmissions, and virtually all hospitalizations and deaths continue to be among the unvaccinated.

Tribal members and those who live in their households, other Native Americans and their household members, and Tribal employees and their household members 12 and older can schedule a vaccination through the Health & Wellness Center by calling 503-879-1900.