AKWESASNE -- The Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe announced it entered into COVID-19 mass testing contracts with local healthcare entities for all Akwesasne residents and employees of local businesses.

Akwesasne residents or workers who would like access to a COVID-19 test must schedule their own appointment with either Massena Memorial Hospital at (315) 769-4321 or Mountain Medical at (518) 521-3322. There is no cost to the patient, or any need to provide insurance information or cash deposits.

“The efforts of the Tribe’s Health Services since the pandemic began has been to protect the health and safety of our community. Until this time, our own ability to test has been limited to individuals exhibiting symptoms and those who were directly exposed. The arrangements made this week expand our testing capabilities through partnering health agencies for anyone living or working in Akwesasne,” Saint Regis Mohawk Health Services Director Michael Cook said in a news release.

Akwesasne residents on both sides of the international border are eligible to receive tests with the local providers. Individuals must bring a tribal identification card or Band Card to the testing site and state they are a resident of Akwesasne. Non-member residents of Akwesasne are also eligible under the contract and should bring their driver's license to the testing site.

Non-member employees of the St. Regis Mohawk Tribe or the Mohawk Council of Akwesasne (MCA) can also receive testing and should bring their employee badges to the testing site.

Non-member employees of member-owned businesses licensed or registered with the Tribe or the MCA are eligible for testing. Business owners must contact the Tribe’s Emergency Operations Center (EOC) to share employee rosters for contracted providers.

“We ask that everyone be tested as a matter of public health, so that we may identify asymptomatic cases and better understand our overall infection rates,” Tribal Council said in their announcement. They added, “This contract is in the best interest of community safety, so casino associates and employees of the many local businesses are welcome and encouraged to take advantage of the testing program.”

The turnaround time for tests has been increasing due to the national numbers on the increase from around the country. The time to receive test results is from two to 10 days.

If you have a verified direct exposure to a person testing positive or have possible symptoms you are urged to contact your primary provider for guidance and be practicing self-quarantining.

Any questions regarding accessibility of the mass testing contracts should be directed to Saint Regis Mohawk Health Services at (518) 358-3141 or the Tribe’s Emergency Operations Center at (518) 320-0019.