Rocky Boy implements checkpoints to slow coronavirus

More restrictions have been announced due to the coronavirus 2019 pandemic, including checkpoints and screenings at Rocky Boy’s Indian Reservation.

The Chippewa Cree Tribe of Rocky Boy’s Indian Reservation announced in a post on the tribe’s Facebook page that the Rocky Boy Police Department will be implementing checkpoints at the entrances to the reservation today at noon.

“The primary goal of this action is to promote community safety by monitoring incoming traffic to reduce and or eliminate the spread of COVID-19,” the post said.

The monitoring posts will be in place 24-hours-a-day. People entering the reservation will be asked a series of screening questions to identify any possible symptoms or exposure to COVID-19, the disease caused by the novel coronavirus 2019 that has been declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization.

As of Monday evening, no cases of COVID-19 had been confirmed in Chouteau or Hill counties, according to the state government map at https://montana.maps.arcgis.com/apps/MapSeries/index.html?appid=7c34f3412536439491adcc2103421d4b .

The release said people who are not tribal members or residents of Rocky Boy and who have no legitimate reason to be on the reservation may not be permitted to enter.

All residents should be abiding by a 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. curfew, the post said.

The Chippewa Cree Business Committee adopted an order Saturday establishing the curfew and a stay-at-home order asking residents to stay at home to self-isolate and practice social distancing, defined as staying at least 6 feet away from other people when away from their home.

People with symptoms, typically fever, cough and shortness of breath, should contact the Rocky Boy Health Center at 395-4486 and should self-isolate for 14 days, the post said.

The Havre Police Department announced on its Facebook page Monday that the department is closed to walk-in traffic and people are asked to call the department at 265-4361 for assistance.

Global pandemic

Gov. Steve Bullock declared an emergency in the state March 12, and reported the next day that four cases of COVID-19, the disease caused by the new virus, had been confirmed in Montana.

A flurry of local and state orders came out in the next week, closing all K-12 public schools, restricting bars and restaurants to pick-up or delivery meals only, limiting access to public facilities, health facilities, athletic facilities and private businesses, aid packages being approved and many groups offering assistance to people in need or who are concerned about the virus.

Novel coronavirus 2019, a new strain of virus related to the virus that causes many mild ailments including the common cold, was first detected in China in December.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that most people infected with the COVID-19 virus will experience mild to moderate respiratory illness and recover without requiring special treatment. 

But the disease can cause serious illness and can be fatal.

Older people, and people with underlying medical problems like cardiovascular disease diabetes, chronic respiratory disease, and cancer are more likely to develop serious illness, CDC reports.