SRMT & MCA Announce First Confirmed COVID-19 Case in Akwesasne

Mar 28, 2020

This morning, the Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe and the Mohawk Council of Akwesasne were notified of the first confirmed case of COVID-19 (Novel Coronavirus) in the community of Akwesasne. The Franklin County Public Health Department notified the Tribe’s Emergency Operations Center that the case involves a community member, who is in quarantine at home and receiving follow-up care.

The Franklin County Public Health Department is investigating the individual’s case to determine exposure and those who may have been in recent contact. No additional information is being released at this time due to patient privacy laws.

It is extremely important that everyone practice social distancing and stay home to avoid contact with others. Please limit travel for essential needs only, such as for groceries or prescriptions, and consider sending only one person. While in public, stay at least 6 feet apart from others.

For those returning to the community from beyond a 50-mile radius of Akwesasne, you MUST self-quarantine for 14 days. Please place the community’s health and safety as a priority, particularly those who are most vulnerable — our elders and those with underlying medical conditions.

It is important to remember that now is the time be prepared, not scared. To help, both organizations have activated their Emergency Operations Centers and our health professionals are working hard to slow the spread of the Coronavirus. If you have an emergency matter or require essential items, please call them at: SRMT’s EOC (518) 320-0019 or MCA’s EOC at (613) 575-5005 or (613) 575-2331. They are here to help you.

Symptoms associated with the Coronavirus include a sustained temperature reading of 100.4 degrees or more, coughing, shortness of breath, or difficulty breathing. If you have these symptoms, please call the Tribe’s Medical Clinic at (518) 358-3141 Ext. 7130 or MCA’s Community Health at (613) 575-2341 Ext. 3220. Remember to call first.

For those who may have questions about the Coronavirus, we encourage you to please call the New York State Department of Health’s Coronavirus Hotline at 1-888-364-3065 (toll free) or the Eastern Ontario Health Unit at 1-800-267-7120. Real questions deserve real answers, so please share this number with anyone who wants to know more about the disease. No question is insignificant at this time.

Both councils and their EOCs will continue to monitor the situation and will share updates as they become available. Please continue to listen to CKON 97.3fm, follow our Facebook pages, and visit our websites.

###

March 30, 2020 – SRMT State of Emergency Operational Briefing

In response to the COVID-19 (Novel Coronavirus) Pandemic, the Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe continues to implement protective measures to ensure the ongoing health, safety and well-being of the Akwesasne community at-large. To follow are the latest measures and protocols we are taking in coordination with the SRMT Emergency Operations Center. For any emergency-related matters, please call the EOC at (518) 320-0019 or email eoc@srmt-nsn.gov.

——————————–

REPORTED COVID-19 CASES:

• Akwesasne Community: (source: Franklin County Public Health Department)
  -1 confirmed case
  -2 self-isolation/quarantined
• Franklin County: (source: Franklin County Public Health Department)
  -5 confirmed cases
  -61 self-isolation/quarantined
  -92 negative cases
• St. Lawrence County: (source: St. Lawrence County Public Health Department)
  -14 confirmed cases
• New York State: (source: John Hopkins University Coronavirus Resource Center)
  -59,568 Confirmed cases
• United States: (source: John Hopkins University Coronavirus Resource Center)
  -148,089 confirmed cases
  -4,886 RECOVERED
• Worldwide: (source: John Hopkins University Coronavirus Resource Center)
  -755,591 confirmed cases
  -158,527 RECOVERED

(NOTE: Recovered cases result from two negative tests within a 24-hour period.)

DO NOT VISIT – PLEASE CALL FIRST

HEALTH CLINIC HOURS
Monday-Friday, 9:00am-5:00pm & Saturday, 8:00am-12:00pm
(518) 358-3141

FOR PRESCRIPTION REFILLS:
Step #1: Call pharmacist at (518) 358-3143
(Call from home 5 days before medications run out.)

Step #2: Call for curbside pickup at (518) 358-4877
(Call from parking lot and allow 10 minutes for delivery)

CURBSIDE PICKUP HOURS:
Monday-Friday, 10:00am-4:00pm & Saturday, 9:00am-12:00pm

——————————–

TODAY’S ANNOUNCEMENTS:

TRIBAL CLERK UPDATE—Effective March 30, 2020, the Tribal Clerks Office is CLOSED until April 20, 2020, due to the extremely contagious nature of the COVID-19 virus which is now in Akwesasne. Please read the Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe website or listen to CKON for updates. You can e-mail inquiries to summer.bero@srmt-nsn.gov, derrick.king@srmt-nsn.gov, or larri-leeskidders@srmt-nsn.gov Please be patient with us as we are unable to work remotely from home due to the type of information we need access to. We apologize for any inconveniences caused and wish you good health during this difficult time.

AKWESASNE DEMENTIA CAREGIVER SUPPORT GROUP — A Tele-Support Group was created to help those who are helping others during this time. The Tele-Support Group meets on the third Thursday of each month from 3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. The next sessions are on April 16^th and May 21^st. To register or for more information, please call Kristen Fleming at (518) 564-2049.

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE — Domestic and dating violence victims/survivors are more isolated than ever and feel trapped with their abusers. StrongHearts Native Helpline understands that victims may not have a safe opportunity to call a helpline; therefore, in order to reach and help as many people as possible, they are re-focusing their social media strategy. Their Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages offer regular tips on how friends and family members of those living in domestic and dating violence situations can help. The StrongHearts Native Helpline (1-844-7NATIVE) will continue to operate and offer services daily from 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. (Central Daylight Time). Advocates are standing by and ready to listen.

NORTH COUNTRY COMMUNITY COLLEGE– North Country Community College employees will continue to work remotely through the end of the semester, and classes will resume online March 30^th as planned. In an email message to faculty, staff and students today, college President Joe Keegan outlined the college’s plans for classes, academic supports and other college operations amid the ongoing COVID-19 crisis. For more information, visit the college’s COVID-19 Response page at www.nccc.edu/coronavirus-response.

SAHTSóHARE – WASH YOUR HANDS

TEWAHKWíSRONSON, TETEWATEéN:RON – LET’S TRY HARD, TOGETHER
—Courtesy of SRMT Mohawk Language Lab

###