Commissioners approve agenda

Covid cases in Sequoyah County are spiking again according to local health officials.

Eric Carter, director of operations for NHS Sequoyah Hospital in Sallisaw, reported Monday during the Sequoyah County Commissioners meeting, the hospital has seen more cases of Covid recently, but did not know which strain, he said.

Carter was unavailable to provide any additional information, but according to Oklahoma State Department of Health Regional Epidemiologist Dr. Daniel Ortiz, who serves Sequoyah and other adjoining counties, there was a 57.4% increase in the number of Covid cases compared to the previous week in Sequoyah County. Ortiz said the data released is about a week old.

“At the Sequoyah County Health Department, we are seeing an increase in Covid testing. It’s important to mention we are only capturing a fraction of the Covid cases in our records because of the ubiquity of home tests, which are not reported to the state, people attributing Covid symptoms to other illness or simply Covid fatigue,” Ortiz said.

“The metric, which the CDC likes to use in order to measure COVID-19, is called the “COVID-19 Community Level,” which weighs three factors: Case rate per 100,000, new Covid hospital admissions per 100,000, and percentage of staffed beds used by Covid patients. This measure in Sequoyah County remains low, as it has for the past several weeks,” Ortiz said.

In other business, the commissioners adopted a resolution to amend the Sequoyah County employee pay period. Commissioners have said changes of paying the county employees once a month to bi-weekly will take effect this month, beginning around March 15.

Commissioners also approved an asphalt contract by and between Sequoyah County District 3 and McKenzie Asphalt for a road project on East 1070 Road east for 1.7 miles to 4650 Road, which connects onto the Redwood project. District 3 Commissioner Jim Rogers said those contracts must be approved by the county anytime ARPA funds are involved.

Commissioners approved a bid for Marble City Fire Department for a 2-ton truck and skid unit.

They also approved a resolution for the Smith Family Private Cemetery, located at Lot 1 of Section 31, Township 111 North, Range 24 East of the Indian Base Meridian.

Under new business, the commissioners approved a special apportionment for Sequoyah County District 2 in regards to the Indian Road Repair Project, Site D, which is in the county portion of the road. District 2 Commissioner Beau Burlison said the approval will help get the “funds rolling” for the road construction project.

“They’re working in Cherokee County, but moving towards Sequoyah County,” Burlison said. Burlison said the work involves a culvert pipe which was “undermining” on Sequoyah County’s end.

“Hopefully when it’s all done, it’ll be a permanent fix for any future problems with the weather we might encounter, and this won’t happen again,” Burlison said. “We’re very appreciative to the Cherokee Nation for partnering with us.”

Commissioners approved several items on behalf of the Sequoyah County Sheriff’s Office, including an approval of transfer from the Sheriff Forfeiture M&O to the Sheriff’s Drug Fund. Also approved was a transfer from the Sheriff’s Personal Service to the Jail Sales Tax; and a transfer from Drug Court Personal Service to Drug Court M&O.

Also approved was a declaration of surplus for several items, including a 1981 Oshkosh Pierce Arrow for the Liberty Fire Department. Also surplus on a Case backhoe with hammer and salt sand spreader for District 2, Sterling-Roscoe Maximizer Oil, 1993 Crafco 200D Crack Sealer, 1990 Custom Trailer, Case backhoe, 1996 Chevrolet 2500 with utility bed, 2003 Ford F-150 4×4, Caterpillar Track Ho Mini Ex, 1999 Ford F550 service truck, salt sander, 2001 Byers Salt Dogg spreader, 2013 Salt Dog spreader and 2006 John Deere side boom for District 1.