Coronavirus Update

Please be sure to get these signs posted in all restrooms.  You may also post then in other public places in your buildings.  You can print or email these posters by clicking on the gear icon in the upper right hand corner of poster.

Please be sure to get these signs posted in all restrooms.  You may also post then in other public places in your buildings.  You can print or email these posters by clicking on the gear icon in the upper right hand corner of poster.

Housekeeping General Guidelines:  Below are recommended cleaning efforts for all facility types.

Maintaining cleanliness and well-maintained facilities may help to prevent the spread of 2019-nCoV, as is true for influenza and other viruses. 

Recommendations for general housekeeping include:

• • Clean facilities routinely and effectively.
• • Clean frequently touched surfaces, such as doorknobs, door handles, handrails and telephones, as well as non-porous surfaces in bathrooms, sleeping areas, cafeterias and offices (e.g., floors), using an EPA-registered disinfectant that is active against viral pathogens.
• • Maintain hand washing supplies: Soap, paper towels, and alcohol-based hand sanitizers. • Maintain general cleaning supplies and disinfectants that are effective against coronaviruses and other respiratory pathogens.
• • Place waste baskets in visible locations and empty regularly.
• • Ensure that waiting areas, TV rooms, and reading rooms have adequate ventilation (e.g., fans and open windows, if practical).
• • Laundry can be washed in a standard washing machine with water and detergent.

*Clean all “high-touch” surfaces everyday

High touch surfaces include counters, tabletops, doorknobs, bathroom fixtures, toilets, phones, keyboards, tablets, and bedside tables. Also, clean any surfaces that may have blood, stool, or body fluids on them. Use a household cleaning spray or wipe, according to the label instructions. Labels contain instructions for safe and effective use of the cleaning product including

*Use appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)precautions you should take when applying the product, and making sure you have good ventilation during use of the product.

For all facility types: Conduct an inventory of your cleaning supplies.  Ensure the product being used contain an EPA Product Number.  The product number can be found on the container or on the associating SDS sheet that comes with the product.  Below is a link to verify if your product is a suggested product to effectively clean your facility.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released rcpt=This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.&;tss=1583427535&msgid=98b39302-5f02-11ea-869f-ad38f64994db&html=1&h=181709b7">a list of EPA-registered disinfectant products that have qualified for use against SARS-CoV-2, the novel coronavirus that causes COVID-19.

“Using the correct disinfectant is an important part of preventing and reducing the spread of illnesses along with other critical aspects such as hand washing,” said EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler. “There is no higher priority for the Trump Administration than protecting the health and safety of Americans. EPA is providing this important information in a public and transparent manner on disinfectant products to help reduce the spread of COVID-19.”

Products appearing on EPA’s list registered disinfectant products have qualified for use against COVID-19 through the agency’s Emerging Viral Pathogen program. This program allows product manufacturers to provide EPA with data, even in advance of an outbreak, that shows their products are effective against harder-to-kill viruses than SARS-CoV-2. It also allows additional communications intended to inform the public about the utility of these products against the emerging pathogen in the most expeditious manner.

Coronaviruses are enveloped viruses, meaning they are one of the easiest types of viruses to kill with the appropriate disinfectant product. Consumers using these disinfectants on an enveloped emerging virus should follow the directions for use on the product’s master label, paying close attention to the contact time for the product on the treated surface (i.e., how long the disinfectant should remain on the surface).

To view the list of EPA-registered disinfectant products, visit rcpt=This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.&;tss=1583427535&msgid=98b39302-5f02-11ea-869f-ad38f64994db&html=1&h=d730976e">www.epa.gov/pesticide-registration/list-n-disinfectants-use-against-sars-cov-2

March 9, 2020

To All Employees under CSKT including SKC, corporations, SKHA and all affiliated entities under the tribal government

All non-essential work-related travel is restricted. If there are questions, contact Council.

Employees who travel on their own time to known hot spots, which now includes most of the United States and (China, Iran, Japan, Hong Kong, South Korea, Italy), are not guaranteed leave. Their PTO requests may be rejected by their supervisor.

Employees who do travel to known hot spots, upon their return, they will be asked to remain out of the work place for 14 days. That time from work will not be covered by Administrative leave. That time from work must be covered by the employees PTO (if they have PTO). Options may be explored to have employees work from home.

We are nearing spring break when many students are either returning to their homes here from hot states. If a student is in an employee’s home, we ask that you monitor your student to ensure they do not exhibit signs of infection. If you see an infection in your home, please report to your supervisor.

The following are updates and recommendations from the Tribal Health Department

  Currently, there are no confirmed coronavirus cases in Montana. Eleven people have been tested and the results came back negative. There have been a total of 28 patients on home monitoring across the state because of various risk factors, mainly returning from China. (Of those, 19 have cleared the isolation period, nine remain in isolation.) None of those are confirmed cases of infection. Overall the risk is low in our community as we do not have any active cases in Montana. However, in our global community, this could change rapidly.

There are still many risk factors for possible spread. It is important to be prepared.

Symptoms can range from mild respiratory illness like the common cold to more severe complications like pneumonia, respiratory failure and death. 

Who is at risk for coronavirus? 

• Fever OR signs/symptoms of lower respiratory illness AND

Close contact with known COVID-19 patient within 14 days of symptom onset

• Fever AND signs/symptoms of lower respiratory illness requiring hospitalization AND

History of travel from affected areas with widespread transmission within 14 days of symptom onset: China, Iran, Italy, Japan and South Korea

• Fever with severe acute lower respiratory illness requiring hospitalization and with no alternative explanation like influenza AND

No source of exposure has been identified

Individuals who have a travel history to or from China, Iran, Italy, Japan or South Korea in the past 14 days, who are not exhibiting symptoms such as fever and symptoms of a lower respiratory illness such as cough or shortness of breath are placed on home isolation and are monitored for 14 days. Our Public Health Emergency Preparedness Coordinator/Community Health Nurse, Tammy Matt is the one coordinating this service. She has been working with the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS), as well as Lake County and Missoula City/County Health Departments. Plans are in place that dictate steps that staff would take should a person at risk for coronavirus be identified. She has been planning trainings and in-services for Tribal Health staff to ensure that they are properly trained to handle a potential Coronavirus patient. Tammy has been working closely with Brian Crawford, Tribal Safety Officer/Sanitarian to ensure client safety to anyone who may be accessing healthcare at our Tribal Health facilities. The health and safety of our clients and staff are our primary concerns.

What can be done in the community?

1. Stay home when you are sick with respiratory illness.
2. Wash your hands often with soap and water (at least 20 seconds) and/or alcohol base sanitizers.
3. Cover your cough and sneezes with a tissues, then throw it away.
4. Routinely clean frequently touched surfaces and objects (i.e. phones, doorknobs, remotes)
5. If you believe you may have the coronavirus or at high risk, contact your local health facility. Call ahead before you go to a doctor’s office or emergency room. Tell them about your recent travel and your symptoms.

Tribal Health wants you to be prepared as you seek out regular health care. You will be asked to wear a mask if you have a cough. You will be asked screening questions on whether you have had recent travel to China. This is standard through all medical facilities. If there is concern for suspected coronavirus, health providers will wear gloves, masks, gowns. Thank you for reading this and please share with others, and look for future updates.

There is currently no vaccine to prevent coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The best way to prevent illness is to avoid being exposed to this virus. However, as a reminder, CDC recommends everyday preventive actions to help prevent the spread of respiratory diseases,

In addition Council strongly advises the public to take precautions to limit their exposure to public places, crowds and events. Also, consider limiting handshakes and hugs.

This comes in the middle of basketball season. It is strongly advised that everyone follow CDC guidelines that include:

• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
• Stay home when you are sick.
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.
• CDC recommends that travelers avoid all nonessential travel.
• Older adults and people with chronic medical conditions may be at increased risk for severe disease.
• Travelers should avoid contact with sick people and clean their hands often by washing with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with 60%–95% alcohol.
• Travelers should stay home for 14 days after returning to the United States and practice social distancing.
• Travelers that are sick with fever, cough, or have trouble breathing should call ahead before seeking medical care.

The Tribal Health staff is monitoring the situation, which is changing daily. Regular updates will be provided.

To All Employees under CSKT including SKC, corporations, SKHA and all affiliated entities under the tribal government

All non-essential work-related travel is restricted. If there are questions, contact Council.

Employees who travel on their own time to known hot spots (China, Iran, Japan, Hong Kong, South Korea, Italy), are not guaranteed leave. Their PTO requests may be rejected by their supervisor.

The U.S. Hotspots, which could change rapidly, are defined as of 3-10-2020:

Washington

California

Oregon

New York

Florida

Employees who do travel to known hot spots, upon their return, they will be asked to remain out of the work place for 14 days. That time from work will not be covered by Administrative leave. That time from work must be covered by the employees PTO.

We are nearing spring break when many students are either returning to their homes here from hot states. If a student is in an employee’s home, we ask that you monitor your student to ensure they do not exhibit signs of infection. If you see an infection in your home, please report to your supervisor.

Further updates will be issued.