The Oyate Health Center recognizes that COVID-19 is more prevalent in the Black Hills and in the Country than at any time before during this global pandemic. Access to testing materials is in critical demand, and the FDA has issued new guidelines for testing.

In response, the Oyate Health Center will implement new hours of care and testing protocols to meet community needs and comply with new FDA testing equipment guidelines. Beginning Tuesday, October 13, 2020, the Oyate Health Urgent Care will be open from 7 am to 7 pm. As we continue to navigate COVID-19, we will soon expand our clinic hours into the evening hours. The changes will also allow our staff to detect and isolate the virus amongst our patient population.

Our hours for curbside testing will remain from 8 am to 4 pm, Monday through Friday; however, you must have a scheduled appointment for a curbside test. Please call (605) 355-2463 to schedule a curbside test. There will be no curbside testing on holidays. 

· Testing is limited to patients and families who have established their care with OHC. 

· We can only perform testing on-demand for OHC patients who have symptoms and have a scheduled appointment.

We can no longer accommodate requests for testing if you had close contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19.  If you have had close contact with a Covid positive person, you should self-quarantine and self-monitor.  

The CDC has also moved to a symptom-based strategy for returning to work or school. A repeat negative test is NOT required. You may now be with others after:

          *At least ten days since symptoms first appeared and

          *At least 24 hours with no fever without fever-reducing medication and

          *Other symptoms of COVID-19 are improving

It is important to note that we are also entering the time of year when influenza becomes a concern. We strongly encourage you to get a flu shot at your earliest opportunity. It may be difficult to differentiate the symptoms of COVID-19 from influenza. If you are sick, please make an appointment or present to the Southwest clinic to be seen by one of our medical professionals, at which point testing may be performed. You may need to be tested for both of these viral illnesses.

If you have questions or feel you need care after 7 pm, please call (605) 787-8904.

We are urging our community to be more vigilant than ever. Do not attend mass gatherings. Do not host large gatherings. Wash hands frequently. Practice social distancing. Do not go to bars or dine-in eateries. If you are experiencing symptoms related to COVID-19, please choose to protect those around you by isolating and wearing masks.