Mon Mar 23rd, 2020
Southern Ute Chairman, Christine Sage
Categories: Top Stories
Tags: Chairman Christine Sage, Closures, Coronavirus, COVID-19, Ignacio, Sky Ute Casino Resort, Southern Ute Growth Fund, Southern Ute Indian Tribe, Southern Ute Permanent Fund
On Sunday, March 22, 2020 Southern Ute Tribal Chairman, Christine Sage along with Southern Ute Tribal Council, the Southern Ute Indian Tribe Incident Management Team (IMT) and tribal entities, ordered the Southern Ute Indian Tribe to modify tribal government services and business operations. The Southern Ute Tribal Permanent Fund, Southern Ute Growth Fund, Southern Ute Shared Services and positions within the Sky Ute Casino Resort have been directed to work remotely unless otherwise communicated. Critical functions have been revised and only critical tribal staff must report to their workstations. This will be effective Monday, March 23, 2020.
The directives are as follows:
A summary of continuing core services for the Southern Ute Indian Tribe during the COVID-19 outbreak can be found on the tribal websites, tribal social media, with the Southern Ute Indian Tribe COVID-19 Call Center, on KSUT Tribal radio, and by mail.
Southern Ute Indian Tribe COVID-19 Call Center
The Southern Ute Indian Tribe COVID-19 Call Center will remain active through the duration of the modified government services being provided. Tribal members can reach the call center by dialing 970.563.0214. Calls regarding medical concerns should use extensions 2651 and 2654; calls with general questions or concerns should use extensions 2652 and 2667. Call center hours of operation are 6:00 a.m. until 10:00 p.m., 7 days a week until further direction is mandated by the Southern Ute Indian Tribe (IMT). In additional to fielding calls, the call center will be making proactive calls to Tribal Elders, the disabled and high-risk tribal membership.
Tribal Staff Self-Screening Protocol
Southern Ute Tribal staff identified to report to their workstations are required to take their temperature with a thermometer to accurately provide symptom information. If you can answer “yes” to any of these questions, including COVID-19 symptoms, staff must call their supervisor and consult their primary healthcare provider for COVID-19 screening or access the telemedicine consultation services from Anthem found here (https://livehealthonline.com) If your response is “no” to all questions and symptoms, staff are required to report to work.
Exposure-related Questions
Are you currently experiencing any of the following symptoms?
“As the Tribal Chairman, I hold the lives of the tribal staff, tribal membership, and their families, as well as the tribal resources in my hands. Making the decision to modify tribal services and business operations to an even greater degree was made by prioritizing the health, safety and welfare of the entire tribal membership and tribal staff. We each have a responsibility to attempt to limit the exposure of COVID-19, especially to the Tribal Elders and the high-risk population of the Southern Ute Tribal membership and our community. Modifying tribal services and business operations and asking tribal staff to work from home will help “flatten the curve”, thereby reducing the risk of contracting and spreading COVID-19, and putting additional stress on the healthcare system. Please stay home, take this time to enjoy your loved ones. This time can be spent sharing our traditions and culture with those in your household,” stated Chairman Sage.
If you are a tribal member and concerned about your symptoms, please contact your primary care provider or call the Southern Ute Health Center at 970.563.4581 to speak with a health care professional.