Tribe partners with health board to conduct free COVID-19 test for month of September

KLAMATH, Calif. (KIEM)-Starting this week, the Yurok Tribe and the California Rural Indian Health Board will be offering COVID-19 tests at the Weitchpec Tribal Office’s upper parking area, and in the Redwood Hotel Casino parking lot.

Serene Hayden is the Yurok Incident Commander.

“We will be testing every Wednesday through the month of September, you can register online or on site and we have staff here that will assist you,” she said. “We also encourage you to practice safe measures such as wearing a mask every time you leave your home, practice social distancing 6 feet apart and to also avoid large gatherings.”

Testing is open to all Yurok Residents, including Tribal elders, and adults.

There are no age restrictions for children, however, anyone under the age of 18 must get permission from a parent or guardian.

The method of testing will require a small sample of saliva collected from inside the mouth.

Tests will be performed in Kalmath Every Wednesday In September from 9 a.m. To 2 p.m. and at the Weichpec Tribal Office’s upper parking lot and the Redwood Hotel Casino parking lot from 10 a.m to 5 p.m. on various dates.

The Yurok Health Officer encourages all community members to test this month while it’s available – those who miss the opportunity will have to go to the closest testing site, which is in Crescent City.

Anyone with questions, concerns or would like more information can call the hotline number at (888) 225-8952.

Those who’d like more information on the status of the fire, evacuation plans and updates can call (530) 316-1042 between 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., daily.