ROCKY BOY, Mont. (NMB) – The Chippewa Cree Tribe has issued a two week total shutdown of the community due to the increase in COVID-19 cases in the area.
The announcement was made late Tuesday morning by Chippewa Cree Incident Command.
Shortly after the announcement, the Rocky Boy Health Center revealed that five of their tests had come back positive for COVID-19.
Contact tracing is ongoing and Health Center CEO Ed Parisian says that all five cases are believed to be connected to the other cases in Hill County.
The Chippewa Cree Tribe is asking people to only travel if it is essential. Social gatherings are prohibited at this time.
Personal Protective Equipment will be distributed at all health and safety checkpoints as they are implementing new precautions.
A curfew from 10 PM to 6 AM on the Rocky Boy Reservation remains in effect.
The Rocky Boy Health Clinic will be holding COVID-19 testing this Friday beginning at 8:30 AM, with community members encouraged to get tested.
The Chippewa Cree Incident Command also asks residents to wear masks when out in the community and surrounding areas, to practice social distancing, and to wash your hands.
The news comes as Rocky Boy Schools closed their July Summer Enrichment program for 14 days to allow for a mandatory 14 day quarantine, as ordered by Chippewa Cree Tribal Chairman and officers.
Parisian asks Montanans to take prevention measures seriously, including wearing a mask when in public and social distancing.
This story has been updated to include new positive COVID-19 cases
