Proactive measures succeeding in coronavirus battle, Cherokee leaders say
CHEROKEE, N.C. (WLOS) — Different jurisdictions approach the battle against coronavirus in different ways. Cherokee has a unique status. Leaders said their response is working.
“There has been really good buy-in from the community to get tested,” Principal Chief Richard Sneed said.
Sneed said quick measures to limit the spread of COVID-19 have worked.
“Tribal nations are sovereign, and we have the authority to do the things we're doing,” he said.
That includes limiting people in and out of the reservation.
“Our officers were essentially turning away anywhere between 30-50 out of state cars a day just at the 441 entry point and the Soco entry point,” Sneed said.
There are stay-at-home orders, as well, and shutting down non-essential work, all to promote social distancing with the goal of containing the virus.
“We've tested about 660 people already. I think we only have seven positive cases, three of which are presumed positive and not definitive,” Cherokee Indian Hospital CEO Casey Cooper said. “So far, we don't have any positive cases in the hospital,” he said.
Strict measures are in place at the facility.
“We've added external screening on the outside of all our buildings, of course, so that we can provide maximum protection to our staff and employees inside the hospital,” Cooper said.
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A surveillance and containment team conducts contact tracing. Cooper said he’s grateful to have a good supply of PPE.
“We have received support from Dogwood Health Trust and Indian Health Service,” he said.
Health officials said cases are flattening in Cherokee.
“Closing our border and issuing a stay-at-home order has been essential for us,” Vickie Bradley, at Cherokee Public Health and Human Services, said.
Sneed said the reservation can't be locked down forever and leaders are working on a transition plan now to reopen.
“At some point we're going to have to open the borders. At some point we're going to open the casino. At some point we're going to open tribal operations. Tribal citizens like all Americans are going to have to learn to operate in a new paradigm,” Sneed said.
Sneed said it will be a challenge, but early action has been successful.
The drive-through testing is also taking place in Cherokee County.