Menominee County ramps up testing for COVID-19

Editor’s note: The following statement was released by Amy Slagle, M.D., incident commander for the Menoninee Tribal Clinic COVID-19 response team.

KESHENA — Since the declaration of the national and state emergencies in March 2020, the Menominee Nation has worked hard to prevent COVID-19 from gaining a foothold on the reservation. Due to the high prevalence of chronic disease in the community, the importance of keeping COVID-19 at bay was immediately apparent.

A full-scope, full-on effort has included a tribal emergency stay-at-home order, a curfew, and closing of all non-essential businesses, offices, and functions. An incident command structure was started immediately and has directed efforts to coordinate and implement the COVID-19 response.

The tribal chairperson and legislature have been vigorously involved in pro-active leadership, demonstrating a solemn understanding of their leadership roles and responsibilities amid this crisis.

The Menominee Tribal Clinic also formed an incident command which has coordinated the necessary changes to provide safe care and tests for COVID-19. Most importantly, the Menominee people have embraced personal responsibility, belief in the common good, selflessness, and a capacity for patience and self-discipline.

Their efforts to social distance, wear masks, stay home, and embrace science have resulted in only three positive COVID-19 cases in the county thus far.

The tribal leadership actively pursued a mass testing event by the National Guard which resulted in only one positive case (from a different county) out of 1061 tests.

Currently, 20% of the Menominee population has been tested for COVID-19; an effort which leads all Wisconsin counties. The large percentage of residents tested provides a baseline metric which informs the tribal government as they implement a safe-but-slow re-opening plan and serves to encourage the Menominee Nation to keep acting with care for their elders, their community, and for a healthy future.

Courtesy of Menominee Tribal Clinic