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Chickasaw Caring Cottages to provide housing for COVID-19 patients to isolate

ADA, Okla. – The Chickasaw Nation's fight to stem the spread of COVID-19 now includes nine "cottages" where COVID-19 positive Chickasaw citizens, First Americans living in the Chickasaw Nation service area, and Chickasaw Nation employees and their in-home dependents may isolate.

"Our mission is to provide a safe, clean environment in a comfortable setting so individuals may isolate themselves from loved ones while recovering," said Jason Perry, executive officer of Chickasaw Nation Health Outreach.

Chickasaw Caring Cottages are situated at the Ada South Campus. The units are 399 square feet and come with all the amenities of home, including cable television, Wi-Fi internet, refrigerator, cooking range, linens and an emergency phone networked straight into the Chickasaw Nation. A front porch patio will allow those in isolation to spend time outside responsibly distanced.

"We are not a medical facility. Our service is comparable to a hotel stay for people recovering from COVID-19. We are providing a place to stay with everything they need so they do not have to leave during their designated isolation period. They will be provided food pre-loaded in the refrigerator and other goods will be placed in the home prior to their arrival," Mr. Perry said.

Guests stay at the Chickasaw Caring Cottages based on referral through multiple departments and health care providers of the Chickasaw Nation. Once referred, guests will apply, and acceptance is contingent on availability. Applications shall be reviewed expeditiously, with communication to applicants within 24 hours.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines will be followed, and length of stay will be determined by those recommendations. "If someone is still symptomatic after 14 days isolation, we will follow the advice of medical experts and consider extending the stay," Mr. Perry said. "Those in isolation will be asked to follow rules, such as having no visitors. The units are equipped with the ability for guests to have video conference calls with their physician."

"In an emergency, if needed, we could enter the unit wearing full personal protective equipment. When an isolation is completed, the unit will be thoroughly cleansed by trained professionals before the next visitor arrives," Mr. Perry explained.

Please speak with your Chickasaw Nation health care provider for additional information.

 

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