04/07/2020
Today we share an important message from Red Cloud's president, Dr. Raymond Nadolny:
"With deep sadness and concern, I need to report that today an employee of Red Cloud Indian School tested positive for the COVID-19 virus. This communication is intended to share all the information we currently have and to ensure the highest level of transparency with our staff, students and families, and community members across the Pine Ridge reservation.
On March 26, an employee at Our Lady of Lourdes School (OLL) and their spouse traveled to California for a medical procedure. The couple returned on March 27th and, per Red Cloud Indian School’s Travel Guidelines, immediately went into quarantine in their single family home on OLL’s campus for a planned period of 14 days. They had no contact with anyone during that time: groceries and other supplies were purchased for them and left outside their door when needed.
Our employee began feeling ill and, on Friday, April 3, went to the Pine Ridge Hospital and spoke with medical personnel at their outpatient facility designed specifically to assess potential COVID-19 patients. Our employee was instructed to travel to another facility in Martin, SD, where they were tested for COVID-19, and then immediately returned to total quarantine on OLL’s campus.
This afternoon, this employee learned their preliminary COVID-19 test was positive and also began experiencing respiratory distress. Our employee is now hospitalized in Rapid City, and their spouse will also remain in Rapid City indefinitely, until all risk of spreading the infection has been ruled out by medical personnel.
Thankfully, our employee contacted Red Cloud immediately upon learning of their positive test result, and we in turn immediately contacted the Oglala Sioux Tribe (OST). This afternoon I have been working directly with President Bear Runner and the Department of Emergency Management to ensure all protocols are followed, including the sealing off of this employee’s home, to remove any possible risk of infection. We are and will continue to collaborate closely with OST to protect the health of our staff, students and families, and all community members."
