This is a joint release from the Lummi Indian Business Council and the Whatcom County Health Department.

BELLINGHAM, WA – During the case investigation of a laboratory-confirmed positive patient, it has been determined that there was a potential public exposure on March 10th, 2020 between 11:30 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. at The Silver Reef Casino Buffet.

We know that COVID-19 is most likely to be transmitted to close contacts of a person with COVID-19. This is when people have been with someone with COVID-19 for at least 10 minutes within 6 feet of that person or had contact with any secretions through being coughed on or in direct physical contact. People who did not have close contact with this individual have no greater risk of infection than the general public. 

Lummi Public Health Department and the Whatcom County Health Department are investigating the potential exposure for Lummi Nation and Whatcom County residents. Individuals who are identified as having close contact with the known case will be communicated with directly and provided with supportive information and direction on how to protect their health and that of the wider community.

For people who were at The Silver Reef Casino Buffet on March 10th and have concerns about their individual circumstances, they are invited to contact the Whatcom County Health Department at 360-778-6100 or the Lummi Public Health Line at 360-383-8251.

For people who were at The Silver Reef Casino Buffet or at the Silver Reef Casino and do not think they had close contact with this individual, we recommend they take the same precautionary measures as the general public:

• Stay home when you are sick. 

• Wash your hands frequently and don’t touch your nose mouth or eyes. 

• Avoid large crowds and gatherings. 

• Take particular care to protect people 60 years and older, people with underlying health conditions and pregnant people. 

• Preserve our healthcare resources for those who most need them.

This is a challenging time and we recognize that everyone has concern about the impacts of COVID-19 on ourselves and our loved ones. For updated information about COVID-19 and our local situation, please go to the Whatcom County Health Department website at www.whatcomcounty.us/covid or Lummi Communications Facebook page.