U.S. Surgeon General Concerned With COVID To Native Americans

The U.S. Surgeon General expressed his concern for the impact of COVID to Native Americans during his visit to Montana last week.

Vice Admiral Jerome Adams was scheduled to take part in the opening of a search testing site on the Fort Peck Reservation on Friday, Dec. 11, but his flight was canceled due to weather conditions. He spoke about COVID concerns during a press conference on Thursday, Dec. 10.

Adams noted Native Americans account for about 7 percent of Montana’s population. About 19-20 percent of COVID cases in Montana have involved Native Americans, and about 30 percent of COVID related deaths have been Native Americans.

“This is unacceptable,” Adams said. “But it shows how the virus has preyed on people with not only pre-existing medical conditions but pre-existing social conditions.”

Adams added, “The pandemic has hit us all hard, but some communities particularly hard.”

Cases have been increasing throughout the last nine weeks and the deadliest COVID day yet occurred on Wednesday, Dec. 9. But with a vaccine on the way, the finishing line might be drawing near.

“Running a marathon is incredibly hard, and the hardest part is always the last couple of miles,” Adams said.

He urged residents to keep wearing masks and limit gatherings.

“We all need to do our part to slow the spread and save lives,” Adams said.