Choctaw Nation Unveils New Respiratory Health Hub Ahead of Winter’s Respiratory Virus Season

DURANT, Okla. – The Choctaw Nation Department of Public Health has launched a Respiratory Health Hub to prepare local communities for the upcoming winter respiratory virus season with information on respiratory virus prevention, symptoms, and current viral positivity rates within the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma Health System (CNHSA).

The site includes weekly trends of influenza, RSV (respiratory syncytial virus), and COVID-19 positivity rates, which updates each Monday. Along with the current respiratory virus trends, the Respiratory Health Hub includes resources on proper hand hygiene, preventing the spread of respiratory viruses, and symptom comparison information.

“This resource will empower those living across the Choctaw Nation reservation with the information needed to protect themselves and others around them this winter season,” says CNO Director of Public Health Rikki LaRoche.

The public is welcomed to access the site at any time.

“Although respiratory virus activity remains low at this time,” says CNO Epidemiologist Mason Emert, “this resource ensures that our communities are aware of the respiratory virus trends across the reservation and allows them to make informed decisions about their health.”

Media Note: Media is welcomed to use the data in the Respiratory Health Hub on an ongoing basis with an appropriate credit to the site.