The Lower Sioux Indian Community in the State of Minnesota’s (“Community”) Emergency Operations Center (EOC) received voluntary notification of a potential exposure risk in the Community this previous weekend. Those individuals that were potentially exposed were notified by Health and Human Services and are voluntarily self-isolating in their homes. As part of our community response model, these individuals will be receiving daily phone calls from the community health nurse to monitor for symptoms. Social Services representatives are calling every 3 days to ensure that basic needs are being met and to offer support.
The CDC recommends individuals who have potentially been exposed to monitor for symptoms. Those who were potentially exposed will be monitoring symptoms and reporting to the Community Health Nurse if any symptoms become present. We encourage each of you to take care of one another and call the EOC if you believe you have been exposed to COVID-19. The individuals who believe to have been possibly exposed to COVID-19 are leading by example by following Community and CDC guidance, self-isolating and monitoring symptoms.
Please respect the privacy of those who are self-isolating in coordination with this potential exposure. Details about all COVID-19 cases are confidential. The EOC and EOC support staff maintains the confidentiality of all individuals who call the hotline. The EOC appreciates self-reporting and is here to assist any individual voluntarily self-isolating due to COVID-19 exposure or infection. There is no shame in reporting exposure or infection – we are all at risk anytime we leave our homes.
The number of COVID-19 cases continues to grow across Minnesota and the U.S. Social Distancing is the only way to effectively slow down the rate of infection. Therefore, all of us need to be good relatives and continue to stay home unless it is absolutely necessary to leave, based on those essential services outlined in the Community’s Amended Shelter in Place Order.
If you have questions or concerns, please call our EOC at 320-522-0216.
