Muscogee (Creek) Nation Sees 'Record Number' Of COVID-19 Cases

The Muscogee Creek Nation said it saw a record number of positive COVID-19 cases the weekend of November 14th and 15th.

Rhonda Beaver with the Muscogee Creek Nation Health Department said they are used to running low on resources, but they are even more limited right now and staffing is a struggle.

Despite the limited resources, the department said it was willing to help last weekend when a Tulsa hospital asked them to take in some of its patients who require a lower level of care to free up hospital beds.

Beaver said they have also seen a spike in deaths over the past week, especially for the elderly population.

“They’re our storytellers, our historians, our song leaders; they’re our language speakers. We treasure our elders, and whatever we can do to protect them right now--and during the holiday season--that is our responsibility,” said Beaver.

With the number of COVID-related deaths, the tribe said its burial program is overwhelmed right now because they’re having to cover so many graves.