De La Hunt Media - KK Radio Network

MAHNOMEN, Minn. (April 13, 2020) – In an effort to continue serving White Earth Nation during this unprecedented global health crisis, a drive-through triage and rapid COVID-19 testing site has opened at Shooting Star Casino. The site is for those living on the White Earth Reservation experiencing COVID-19 symptoms.

The site was organized in a joint effort by tribal leadership, White Earth/Mahnomen County Emergency Management Team, local health partners and Shooting Star. “This fully functioning drive-through triage and testing site offers the safest, most efficient way for White Earth members to be tested for COVID-19,” Michael Fairbanks, White Earth Nation tribal chairman, said. “We are doing everything in our power to keep our membership safe, and together, we will get our community through this crisis.”

Individuals must have experienced symptoms consistent with COVID-19 for at least four days and they must call to register before arriving at the testing site. Common symptoms include fever, dry cough, shortness of breath and body aches.

“The testing site is not open for drive-ups. Patients must call the triage line to register for screening,” Ed Snetsinger, White Earth Nation Emergency Management Team incident commander, said. “If you do have symptoms, the first step is to call the triage line.”

The telephone number for the triage line is (218) 936-2738 and is open from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Testing is available from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. If the triage nurse determines a test is necessary, the patient is given a code and instructions on where to go for testing.

According to White Earth health officials, the tests are designed to detect antibodies that develop in the body following exposure to the coronavirus, which causes COVID-19. The antibodies appear three to seven days after the onset of infection.

If someone tests positive, they are asked to self-quarantine for 7 days and be symptom free for 3 days. If symptoms worsen, such has difficulty breathing, they are asked to seek medical attention immediately. 

“The goal is to get ahead of the mitigation efforts from the state of Minnesota. Our public health nursing staff have really put their heart into this - there has been a tremendous effort to get to this point” Snetsinger said.

All signage for the mobile testing site was printed and fabricated at no cost by Indigo Signworks, located in Fargo, N.D., a long-standing sign partner of Shooting Star. The donation was part of Indigo’s offer to directly support state and local healthcare COVID-19 response by providing temporary exterior communication signage.

Shooting Star Casino closed its doors on March 18 as a precautionary measure to fight the spread of COVID-19. Since the temporary closure, Shooting Star Event Center has served as the base of operations for the Emergency Management Team. “Together with White Earth tribal leadership and the White Earth Nation Emergency Management Team, we will continue to carefully monitor the situation and find ways to continue serving our community,” said Scott Stevens, general manager of Shooting Star Casino. “We will do what it takes to fight the spread of COVID-19 and protect the health and wellness of White Earth Nation.”

Shooting Star Casino is actively working on plans for reopening that best protect the safety of team members, guests and the community. The entire property will continue to undergo thorough cleaning and sanitization during the extended closure. “We thank our guests, team and community for continued support during this challenging time,” Stevens said. “We look forward to welcoming everyone back when it is safe to resume operations. Together, we’ll get through this.”

Continued updates on the temporary closure of Shooting Star will be available in the Community Newsroom on the Shooting Star website. Updates on White Earth Nation and the Emergency Management Team will be available on the White Earth website and Facebook page.