Tribe temporarily closes most businesses; health facilities open

This article appeared in the April 2020 edition of the Chickasaw Times

The Chickasaw Nation has shuttered facilities and issued directives regarding the spread of the virus that causes coronavirus disease, known as COVID-19.

All tribal casinos have been ordered closed by Gov. Bill Anoatubby. Additionally, a number of businesses and community service sites are also closed.

Chickasaw Department of Health facilities, including the Chickasaw Nation Medical Center in Ada and satellite clinics in Purcell, Tishomingo and Ardmore, remain open. All clinics are operational. If you go to the medical center or a clinic, you will be screened by Department of Health workers prior to entry.

“Our priority is to care for our citizens, our employees, our customers, our families and our neighbors,” Gov. Anoatubby said. “We are engaged with federal and state officials to execute a plan to mitigate the virus’ health, economic and social impacts.”

The environment changes daily. Go to www.chickasaw.net/COVID19 for updates.

You can also call the Chickasaw Nation COVID-19 hotline at (877) 215-8336 for information. The hotline is available 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Friday, and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturdays. COVID-19 information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) can be accessed at www.cdc.gov/COVID19.

The coronavirus has spread quickly across the U.S. New York, Washington, California and Louisiana are the states hardest hit by the virus, but it is advancing across all the states and infections have mounted. Total COVID-19 confirmed cases in the U.S. on March 27 was 90,710 and a total of 1,347 patients had died of the disease.

According to the CDC, symptoms of the disease occur from two to 14 days following exposure. Symptoms include fever, cough and trouble breathing.

To protect yourself from the virus, the CDC recommends staying at least six feet from another person, washing hands frequently, avoid touching your eyes, ears and mouth, cover your cough or sneeze, and clean and disinfect frequently-used surfaces daily with household cleaner and disinfectant.

If you become ill, the CDC recommends calling your doctor prior to going to any health care facility. Stay away from others, do not go out, avoid contact with pets and animals, wear a face mask, cover your cough or sneeze, wash hands with soap and water frequently or use a hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol, clean high-touch surfaces daily with household cleaner. COVID-19 is particularly dangerous for those over 60 and those with underlying health conditions. Those conditions can include diabetes, heart disease, chronic lung disease, asthma, cancer, kidney disease, Body Mass Index (BMI) number over 40 and autoimmune disorders.

Call your health care provider before going to a facility for care.