The Chippewa Cree Tribe is instituting a reservation-wide shutdown after health officials say they identified a new coronavirus case that could result in a cluster outbreak.
Tribal Chairman Harlan Baker says residents should stock up on essential supplies now ahead of the 72 hour shelter in place order that begins Sunday night at 10 P.M.
"The situation has changed for us here and we're trying to take the best interest of the community, our elders, our people in general, especially those that are at high risk," Baker said.
Chairman Baker says the heightened health order, made in consultation with the local health facility, is meant to lock people in place so contact tracers can reach them. Access onto and off of the reservation will be restricted.
After the lockdown order expires at 6 A.M. Aug. 12, the Rocky Boy's Reservation will remain under a shelter-in-place first instituted in March. That order sets a curfew from 10 P.M. to 6 A.M., limits travel to essential needs only and requires people returning from out of state to quarantine.
Baker says essential services like food delivery are available for people ordered to quarantine.
Health officials on the Rocky Boy’s Reservation confirmed two deaths related to the COVID-19 illness Aug. 6. Both were men in their 50s and 60s with underlying health conditions.
