January 20th marked the two-year anniversary of the first confirmed case of COVID-19 in the United States. Within weeks, the virus had spread across the country, reaching every corner of every community. The virus has been, and remains, a dominant force in our lives as we navigate through this pandemic.

We know that Native Nations have been hit especially hard by the virus. In fact, Native Americans have the highest COVID-related death rate of any population group in the United States. From east to west, north to south, Native people have died at approximately twice the rate of other populations. We have suffered far too many of those losses within the Seneca Nation, leaving voids in our community that can never be filled.

Yet, time and again, our Nation has rallied and pulled together to help protect our community and one another. Throughout the past two years, I have been incredibly proud of the commitment I have seen from so many who have made the health and safety of our community their highest priority.

The work of our Seneca Nation Health System to help test, care for and vaccinate our people during each successive wave of the pandemic has been exemplary. Our Seneca Nation COVID-19 Task Force, Emergency Management team, first responders, and workers from multiple Nation departments have worked tirelessly to not only manage our collective response to the pandemic, but to coordinate many important distributions of supplies to our people. We have also worked together with our neighbors to coordinate vaccination clinics at our gaming facilities and to help get supplies to people who need them.

Our work is far from over. As of the printing of this newsletter, we still had hundreds of active COVID cases in our community. We need to continue, as individuals and as a strong, united community, to focus our energy on doing everything we can to protect our people, protect one another and stop the spread of the virus within our Nation.

The Nation continues to fight every day to protect our community and our people in every way we can. The resources available to you include our recent PPE distributions, as well as daily testing in both Allegany and Cattaraugus to help detect new cases. Of course, the strongest weapon we have is the COVID vaccine, which is available for everyone age five and older through the Seneca Nation Health System. To date, more than 4,500 Seneca Nation community members have been fully vaccinated at the Health System. Let’s keep going.

COVID has held us in its grip for two years. As we head toward Spring, as the cold begins to thaw and as COVID’s grip hopefully begins to loosen, we want everyone within the Seneca Nation to be as informed, protected and prepared as possible, so that, together, we can emerge from this years-long shadow once and for all. This newsletter is part of that effort, and we hope you find this information useful.

We have come this far together, and it will take all of us to push through to the end of the pandemic. After all, together, we are unstoppable.

Nya:wëh,

President Matthew B. Pagels

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This newsletter serves as an update of information related to the Coronavirus (COVID-19). The health of our people and communities are the priority and we work to increase awareness and preparedness through the pandemic. The COVID-19 Task Force continues to monitor the spread of the virus while coordinating with Seneca Nation departments on a response that will be implemented for all Seneca Nation properties.

Many difficult changes have been made to routines and daily lives to stop the spread, and the precautions are even more important now. With the highly transmissible variants that are being identified, we cannot stress enough the importance of being proactive and taking all preventative measures.

The Seneca Nation is initiating a new quarantine and isolation protocol. Our responsibility to the next generations means that we must exert our sovereign authorities and take measures to protect our communities that go above and beyond what the CDC recommends. The new protocol is defined for Seneca Nation employees and supersede quarantine or isolation guidance and orders from other entities (such as local county health departments, NYS DOH, CDC, etc.), so long as the Seneca Nation protocol is more strict and the county/state/CDC/etc. guidance and orders are more lenient.

It is estimated that 31% of individuals remain infectious 5 days after a positive COVID-19 test. Allowing employees to return to work sooner than 10 days puts other employees and the community at risk for further spread of the virus. The Seneca Nation, along with other Native Nations, have witnessed and experienced a disproportionate impact in our communities, including higher infection rates, hospitalization rates, and higher rates of mortality at younger ages. Based on the estimation that individuals remain infectious/contagious between days 6-10, we advise to remain in isolation through day 10 with release on day 11 for anyone who is confirmed positive with COVID-19.

Please be safe and take charge of your health!

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The COVID-19 vaccinations are available at local pharmacies, pop-up clinics, and other events.

For an appointment at the Lionel R. John Health Center (Allegany Territory, Salamanca) please call Teri Cowles at 716-945-5894

For an appointment at the Community Health and Wellness Center (Cattaraugus Territory, Irving) please call Kim Bradley at 716-532-5582

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Below is an informational from the CDC containing the answers to the questions parents are seeking. You can also view additional info at: CDC.gov/covid19

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Check out the flyer below to schedule an appointment at either the LRJHC in Allegany or the CIRHC in Cattaraugus.

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The post STAY HOME IF YOU ARE SICK! appeared first on SNI Official Newsletter.

• Fever or chills
• Cough
• Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
• Fatigue
• Muscle or body aches
• Headache
• New loss of taste or smell
• Sore throat
• Congestion or runny nose
• Nausea or vomiting
• Diarrhea
*This list does not include all possible symptoms.

Regardless of vaccination status, symptoms of COVID-19 may present similar to a sinus infection, allergies, or the common cold. Whether vaccinated or not, any symptoms of COVID-19 should be taken seriously. Please do not attempt to self-diagnose your symptoms, if you have any signs of illness you should: speak to your primary care provider for assessment and/or seek COVID testing.

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The Seneca Nation Covid-19 Taskforce has relocated the CTS FREE Covid-19 testing site to the rear entrance of the Allegany Community Center located at 3677 Administration Drive, Salamanca, NY 14779.

Testing hours have been UPDATED. Operations will continue daily for all community members from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Please be prepared to utilize a smart phone or electronic device for registration. All parties tested will need access to an email account for PCR results. Rapid results can be provided in as little as 15 minutes.

For all questions, please contact Mike Gates, Director, Emergency Management at 716-244-0820. Photo ID required.

Seneca Nation Covid-19 CATTARAUGUS Test Site

The Seneca Nation Covid-19 Taskforce has relocated the CTS FREE Covid-19 testing site to Seneca Fire Cattaraugus Territory Fire Station 2 located on Erie Road (Route 5) behind Gil Lay Arena.

Testing hours are now expanded from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. daily. Please be prepared to utilize a smart phone or electronic device for registration. Everyone 18 or older must provide photo ID. All parties tested will need access to an email account for PCR results. Rapid results can be provided in as little as 15 minutes.

For all questions, please contact Mike Gates, Director, Emergency Management at 716-244-0820.

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Rapid tests and at-home tests are not as accurate for asymptomatic individuals or screening for exposure. Testing again, at a later date, may be indicated depending on the last date of exposure- discuss whether further testing is indicated with your primary healthcare team. Contact your primary healthcare team with additional questions.

If you have a positive COVID-19 test result

If your COVID-19 test result is positive, you should isolate and contact your healthcare provider. Additional testing may be necessary, based on their guidance.

Below you’ll find information on COVID-19 Testing and how to use your SELF-TEST KITS:

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Quarantine:

Quarantine if you have been in close contact (within 6 feet of someone for a cumulative total of 15 minutes or more over a 24-hour period) with someone who has COVID-19 during their contagious period, unless you are up-to-date on COVID-19 vaccinations. People who are up-to-date on COVID-19 vaccinations, do NOT need to quarantine after contact with someone who had COVID-19 unless they have symptoms or are unable to wear a well-fitted mask. However, regardless of vaccination status, you should get tested 5-7 days after the last date of exposure, even if you don’t have symptoms.

What to do:

• Stay home after contact with a person who has COVID-19 or as soon as you receive notification of your exposure as directed by your PCP or local County Health Department, return to work is contingent on fitting the criteria detailed by the county and your employer.
• Watch for fever (100.4◦F), cough, shortness of breath, or other symptoms of COVID-19.
• If you develop symptoms, immediately self-isolate and contact your local public health authority or healthcare provider for assessment and/or seek COVID-19 testing.
• If possible, stay away from people you live with, especially people who are at higher risk for getting very sick from COVID-19.

After quarantine:

• You are released from quarantine based on your county of residence and their current quarantine guidance/orders. If you are released before day 11, watch for symptoms until 10 days after exposure and continue to wear a well-fitting mask while around others. Return to work is contingent on fitting the criteria of the Seneca Nation’s Protocol and Guidelines for Seneca Nation Employees.
• If you develop symptoms, immediately self-isolate and contact your local public health authority or healthcare provider for assessment and/or seek COVID-19 testing.

Isolation

Isolation is used to separate people infected with COVID-19 from those who are not infected. People who are in isolation should stay home until it’s safe for them to be around others. At home, anyone sick or infected should separate from others, stay in a specific “sick room” or area, and use a separate bathroom (if available).

What to do:

• Monitor your symptoms. If you have an emergency warning sign (including trouble breathing), seek emergency medical care immediately.
• Stay in a separate room from other household members, if possible.
• Use a separate bathroom, if possible.
• Avoid contact with other members of the household and pets.
• Don’t share personal household items, like cups, towels, and utensils.
• Wear a mask when around other people in the household.
• Stay home as directed by your PCP or local County Health Department. Return to work is contingent on fitting the criteria of the Seneca Nation’s Protocol and Guidelines for Seneca Nation Employees.

View Seneca Nation COVID-19 Protocol and Guidelines FLOWCHARTS below:

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