AKWESASNE — The Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe’s Emergency Operations Center and Health Services reported twelve (12) new cases of COVID-19 -- making 24 total active cases in Akwesasne’s southern portion. Due to recent changes in contact tracing and reporting requirements, information on quarantines will no longer be provided -- though we continue to wish everyone who has been and continues to be impacted by the coronavirus the very best for a safe and symptom-free recovery.
With the large number of cases due to the more contagious Omicron variant, healthcare systems and the contact tracing process has become overwhelmed across the region and state. As a result, an “honor system” has been implemented to alleviate caseloads and provide individuals with the ability to self-report positive test results. It is highly important that you self-report a positive result from a home test kit and to please stay home if you test positive to prevent community spread.
Individuals who test positive using a COVID-19 Home Test Kit can self-report test results to St. Lawrence County Public Health at (315) 386-2325, SRMT Contact Tracers at (518) 333-0230, or Franklin County Public Health. An online form is available on the Franklin County website to self-report at https://bit.ly/3njGiRa. Positive cases are also being asked to provide notification to individuals who may have been potentially exposed.
COVID-19 TESTING CLINICS:
Saint Regis Mohawk Health Services is conducting COVID-19 PCR testing on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. (Noon) at their main campus located at 404 State Route 37. Please use the road located across from McGee Road and follow the signs for testing garage.
Akwesasne residents and employees can also schedule a FREE COVID-19 PCR or Rapid Molecular test (while supplies last) by contacting Mountain Medical at the following locations on Monday to Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. and the weekends from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.:
Mountain Medical Urgent Care (Malone)
3372 State Route 11
Tel: (518) 521-3322
Urgent Care Mountain Medical (Massena)
2 Hospital Drive
Tel: (315) 705-0700
While Rapid tests are now available at no cost, PCR tests are the most accurate and should be taken no sooner than five (5) after a suspected exposure. Rapid tests should only be utilized when displaying symptoms of COVID-19; such as diarrhea, fever/chills, headaches and body aches, cough, nausea and vomiting, fever, and/or a loss of taste or smell. Don’t assume it is allergies or just a sore throat.
COVID-19 VACCINE CLINICS:
The Saint Regis Mohawk Health Services is holding a Pediatric Pfizer Vaccination Clinic for kids ages 5 to 11-years old at their main campus located at 404 State Route 37 on Tuesdays from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. This will be a walk-in clinic, but appointments are preferred by calling (518) 358-3142.
Health Services is holding an Open Walk-in Vaccine Clinic on Wednesdays from 12:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the former-IGA Building, located at 850 State Route 37. Individuals 12-years old or more can attend to receive either the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines. Booster shots are also available for ages 12 years or more and must be received no sooner than five (5) months after the initial two-shot series. Flu shots are available during the Wednesday vaccination clinic.
The COVID-19 Vaccine is also available during scheduled medical appointments at Health Services and from healthcare providers and pharmacies outside of Akwesasne. Community members who receive vaccinations outside of Akwesasne are asked to please call the Tribe’s Outreach Program at (518) 333-0230 to have it documented with the tribal clinic.
COVID-19 HOME TEST KITS:
The Saint Regis Mohawk Health Services is distributing COVID-19 Home Test Kits at no cost every Tuesday from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the clinic’s testing garage located at 404 State Route 37. Community members will receive either the BinaxNow COVID-19 Antigen Self Kit or the QuickVue At-Home OTC COVID-19 Test (One kit per household). Please use the gravel road located across from McGee Road.
Health Services is kindly reminding individuals who received a COVID-19 Home Test Kit to only use them if you are symptomatic (displaying symptoms). Please read the full instructions prior to use and DO NOT leave them in vehicles, as cold temperatures will affect the accuracy of test results. Also, please retain the test kit, as positive results will require the lot number listed on the package.
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The Saint Regis Mohawk Tribal Council is the duly elected and federally recognized government of the Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe.