Additional cases lead to complete lockdown at Rocky Boy

Additional cases confirmed of COVID-19 led to a complete lockdown at Rocky Boy’s Indian Reservation Friday, effective through today, and has led to some confusion on the state reporting map.

After the Rocky Boy Health Center reported confirming seven new cases of COVID-19, The Chippewa Cree Tribal Business Committee adopted a resolution establishing an emergency curfew mandate from 10 p.m. Friday through 6 a.m. today.

The Health Center posted Sunday that it had no new cases that day, with a total of 26 confirmed cases, all of which were active.

The center said it had reported the cases to the Hill and Chouteau County health departments, which were to include them in their totals for the county.

Rocky Boy’s Indian Reservation lies in both Hill and Chouteau counties.

Hill County Health Department reported Sunday it had no new cases reported with a total for the county of 31 positive confirmations and 28 active cases.

Chouteau County Health Department reported Saturday that three new cases had been confirmed, which were not related to a previous confirmed of a person who was visiting from out of the area and who was not listed on the county count.

Confirmed cases are listed by the person’s residence rather than where they are confirmed.

“Everyone who needs to quarantine has been notified by the health department,” a post on its Facebook page said. “Please be aware and take all personal precautions to keep yourself and your family safe. Social Distance, wash your hands or use sanitizer, don't touch your eyes, nose or mouth, wear a mask where social distancing is not possible, stay away from large gatherings and disinfect high touch surfaces regularly.”

Both Hill and Chouteau counties have said the state tracking map is not showing the proper numbers.

The Chouteau County Health Department posted this morning that it is working with the state to correct the errors.

The state tracking map showed Hill County with 35 confirmed cases and Chouteau County with none.

Blaine County is listed with four cases, the last cases listed Thursday, with no new cases.

Liberty County still is listed with one confirmed case, which was confirmed in March.

More deaths also have occurred due to the disease, with the state total now at 39 deaths.

The state tracking map showed 88 new cases confirmed Sunday, with the state total at 2,621.