Bullock orders schools closed for 14 days

On the heels of local schools including Havre, Hays-Lodge Pole, Rocky Boy and Box Elder announcing they were closing the schools, Gov. Steve Bullock today announced the closure of closing of public K-12 schools in the state for 14 days,

Bullock issued a set of directives and guidance to slow the spread of COVID-19 and protect vulnerable Montanans, including social distancing measures, and limiting visitation at nursing home facilities along with the 14-day school closure.

"As governor, it is my top priority to protect the health and safety of Montanans, particularly our most vulnerable, at a time when we face the potential for extraordinary health risks from coronavirus in our state," said Governor Bullock. "Social distancing is one of the most important primary protective measures to flatten the curve of this virus. I cannot underscore the seriousness of following these measures to help our neighbors, friends, and families."

Bullock directed Montana's public K-12 schools to close starting tomorrow, March 16 until March 27. During this time, schools will engage in planning to provide arrangements to provide free meals to students who need them, pursuant to a waiver obtained from the United States Department of Agriculture, and to provide for all other matters and services that students need in the event of future or ongoing closure. Schools will continue to receive all state funding during this two-week closure.

Box Elder and Rocky Boy schools announced Saturday they would be closing, and Havre and Hays-Lodge Pole schools announced today schools would be closed Monday.

That followed an announcement from Northern Montana Health Care that people in the area had a high risk of exposure to the virus.

No cases had been confirmed in Hill or Blaine counties.

Bullock declared a state of emergency for Montana Thursday, saying the state of emergency “allows the governor to direct a coordinated response to an outbreak of communicable disease. This includes mobilizing all available state resources, such as emergency funds or personnel from the National Guard. It also allows the governor to take additional steps as warranted.”

He then confirmed Friday that four cases of presumptive COVID-19 had been found in the state. Confirmations are known as "presumptive" until confirmed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The presumptive confirmations were for a Gallatin County man in his 40s, a Yellowstone County woman in her 50s, a Silver Bow County man in his 50s and a Lewis and Clark County man in his 50s, a release from the governor's office said

Friday, President Donald Trump also declared a state of emergency for the United States.

Northern Montana Health Care announced Friday it is establishing an alternative COVID-19 clinic on the east end of the NMHC in the building formerly known as Medical Group East.

The NHMC release said the most important thing people should do if they experience symptoms of COVID-19 is to self-isolate. Quarantining themselves and their family members will help reduce the spread of the virus.

People with the symptoms are urged to avoid close contact with others in their household and with pets while the household is self-isolated.

People experiencing the symptoms of COVID-19, typically fever, dry cough, sore throat, stomach issues or nasal secretions - a runny nose - are advised to treat their symptoms with Tylenol, Motrin and over-the-counter cold medicines, the NMHC release said.

As with any viral infection, people with COVID-19 are advised to get plenty of rest and stay well-hydrated, drinking plenty of fluids or eating broth-based soups like chicken noodle or vegetable soup.

People who are unable to manage their symptoms at home are advised to first contact health care professionals by telephone.

Local patients who believe they may need to be assessed by a health care professional are asked to report to the parking lot of the COVID-19 clinic at 124 13th Street by the alternate clinic and then to call 262-1570.

NMHC is asking the community at this time to use the Emergency Department at Northern Montana Hospital for life-threatening conditions only.

Northern Montana Hospital and Northern Montana Care Center are not accepting visitors and the facilities are locked. People who need to access the hospital are asked to call 265-2211 and speak to the administrative director on shift,

In the release today, Bullock said the state will work with schools during this period to evaluate and consider next steps as needed. The decision to close schools is to slow the spread and is not in response to an outbreak in schools.

"I recognize that our schools often serve as a lifeline for families and that this decision is going to have disruption on Montanans over the coming weeks. I'm committed to working with schools, communities and public health to minimize the impact. I encourage businesses to do everything they can to support families as well," he said.

To mitigate the impact of school closures on families, Bullock said the state encourages all employers to be generous with their employee sick and paid leave policies during this time.

Bullock said he is strongly recommending that the public limits all gatherings, especially those more than 50 people, in every community across the state. Governor Bullock is also recommending that individuals over the age of 60 or who are have compromised immune system or have chronic health conditions do not participate in gatherings of more than 20 people. He also recommended that parents should avoid, if possible, placing children for childcare with grandparents or individuals older than 60 or with people with compromised immune systems persons.

Visitation in Montana's nursing homes is suspended except for certain compassionate care situations. People who meet the exception for visitation will undergo a screening to determine whether they have traveled in the last two weeks, are residing where community spread is occurring, or if they have symptoms consistent with COVID-19.

In addition to taking part in regular briefing calls with the country's governors and the White House, the release said, Bullock has consulted with doctors and other public health authorities and school leaders to develop efforts to prevent spread of COVID-19 in Montana.

The virus was first detected in China in late December.

World Health Organization reported Friday that, since the outbreak in December, worldwide, 132,758 cases have been confirmed and 4,955 COVID-19-related deaths have been confirmed.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported Friday that 1,629 cases have been reported in the U.S. in 46 states and the District of Columbia, and it has caused 41 deaths in the U.S.

Watch for updates here and in Monday's edition of the Havre Daily News