COVID-19 cases rise in Cherokee Nation

T A H L E Q U A H — Positive COVID-19 cases recorded by the Cherokee N a t i o n ' s h e a l t h c a r e s yst e m have i ncreased more than 200% within j us t 3 0 days , pr o mpti n g P r i n c i p a l C h i e f Chuck Hoskin Jr. to caut i o n t r i b a l m e m b e r s t o c o n t i n u e w e a r i n g masks and taking other precautions.

“As the number of positive cases quickly rises in the Cherokee Nation, we need to be more prepared than ever to make tough decisions and avoid specific activities whenever possible until the risk of community s pread has diminished,” Hoskin said.

“This is especially difficult for Cherokees because fellowship and family are so ingrained in our culture.

"Following guidelines a n d r e c o mmendations from our health care and scientific experts is absolutely critical to keeping u s s a f e a n d h e a l t h y , i ncluding our Cherokee elders and speakers who are often among the most vulnerable to this deadly virus. ... Please, wear a mask and keep a safe social distance i f you must be around other people, and wash your hands as often as possible. These simple tasks may save your life and the lives of your fellow Cherokees.”

Wi t h i n t h e p a s t 3 0 d a y s , t h e n u m b e r o f positive COVID-19 cases i n the Cherokee Nation increased from 219 to 684, the tribe reported.

Much of the increase can be attributed to gatherings where social-distancing me a s u r e s a n d p r o p e r mask usage have not been observed, according t o contact tracing efforts by the tribe's public health team.

D a t a c o l l e c t e d b y Cherokee Nation Public H e a l t h s h o w t h a t Cherokee ci t i zens who f a i l t o f o l l o w p r o p e r social distancing guidance and who are not wearing masks are coming i nto contact with COVID-19 in specific locations. These include faith-based activi ti es; family gatherings including birthday part i e s , w e d d i n g s a n d f u n e r a l s ; r e s t a u r a n t s , bars and community dinners; student activities such as sporting events, proms and graduations; carpooling; and workplace settings, the tribe said.

“B e f o r e p a r t i c i p a t - ing in any gathering, ask y o u r s e l f t h e s e s i mpl e questions to evaluate the risk of being exposed, or exposing someone else, to COVID-19: Do I have s ymptoms? Do I r eal l y need to go out or travel? Who are the people I will be around? I s my dest i n a t i o n s p a c i o u s a n d wel l - v e n t i l a t e d ? Does my d e s t i n a t i o n p r a c - tice screening, hygiene, m a s k - w e a r i n g a n d social-distancing? When i t comes to COVID- 19, it's best to be wise and to assess your risks rather than to be unconcerned,” s ai d Li s a Pi vec, s e ni or d i r e c t o r o f C h e r o k e e Nation Public Health.

O n J u l y 2 9 , t h e Cherokee Nation Child Development Center i n Ta h l e q u a h was c l o s e d after an employee tested positive for COVID- 19. The Housing Authority of the Cherokee Nation also temporarily closed i t s Stil well offi ce aft er an employee there tested positive for COVID-19.

In both cases, individuals who may have been exposed to the employees who tested positive were contacted, and the tribe i s using enhanced sanititation practices in both facilities before they reopen, officials said.

The Cherokee Nation r e qui r e s a l l e mployees and guests to the tribe's 150 government offices throughout the reservation to wear masks and follow social-distancing protocols. The t r i be i s also using t emperature screenings of employees and guests at governmental facilities.

H e a d q u a r t e r e d i n Tahlequah, the Cherokee Nat i o n h a s more t h a n 380,000 citizens, 11,000 e mployees a nd a var i - ety of tribal enterprises ranging from aerospace and defense contracts to entertainment venues.