COVID cases are rapidly rising in Cherokee. Between Thanksgiving and Christmas [Dec. 16] the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians’ Joint Information Center (JIC) reported there have been over 300 new positive COVID cases in the Cherokee community and one death. EBCI officials say the highly contagious Omicron variant, coupled with social gatherings during the holidays, is to blame for the surge in cases. The EBCI tribal government issued a memorandum instituting various safety measures, including a mask mandate for employees.
MEANWHILE…
Cherokee Central Schools (CCS), which was scheduled to start back on Jan. 5, delayed classes until Monday, Jan. 10, to ensure staff COVID-19 test results were received before students returned from the holiday hiatus.
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