One new Swinomish COVID-19 case last week

It was a good weekend in the La Conner area both in terms of weather and on the coronavirus front.

The Swinomish Public Health Team confirmed Monday there were no new cases of COVID-19 on the reservation from Aug. 7-9, though cautioning there are still test results pending.

There had been one new case reported Friday morning from the prior 24-hour cycle.

The Swinomish Medical Clinic has hosted a series of drive-thru testing sites, the most recent being yesterday (Tuesday) morning, making possible the regular and updated posting of coronavirus data.

The downward trend at Swinomish is particularly encouraging given that seven positive cases of COVID-19 were reported following initial testing in early August, prompting Tribal Senate Chairman Steve Edwards to issue a statement stressing the need to remain vigilant in taking measures to prevent spread of the virus.

“This,” Edwards said, “shows us why we have to strictly follow the COVID-19 safety rules that the Senate has repeated for months because we do not know whether we might have been infected even if we feel fine.”

The Swinomish Public Health Team has reported 14 positive cases with three hospitalizations and two deaths through Aug. 7.

Swinomish test results from the start of August prompted La Conner High coaches to shut down their summer conditioning workouts at Whittaker Field.

Those sessions remained in limbo Monday even though there were no new cases at Swinomish over the weekend.

The Washington Interscholastic Activities Association (WIAA), which governs high school sports in the state, allows organized summer conditioning workouts through Aug. 16.

“I’m not sure if we’ll be able to resume our conditioning this week,” said La Conner High head volleyball coach Suzanne Marble, stressing the school district’s emphasis on health and safety. “We only have until the 16th so we would only be able to go this week anyway.”

Edwards urged continued resolve during the pandemic.

“I know we can do this,” he said. “But we need to work at it every day. We can’t cut corners. We can’t let down our guard. If we don’t keep up these good habits, every day, the virus will spread further through our community. None of us want that.”

Edwards repeated the four main strategies to combat COVID-19 that the Swinomish Senate has promoted since March:

• Wear a face mask outside the home;

• Wash hands many times during the day;

• Maintain social distancing of six feet from those outside one’s household; and

• Only allow household members in one’s home and do not go to other homes.

He also promoted collective as well as individual action.

“We have to help each other,” Edwards said. “If you see someone who has forgotten a mask, offer to get one. If you see an elder going out, offer to help them so they can stay home. We need to come together as the community we are to keep each other safe.”