Hill County confirms 14th case of COVID-19

Hill County Health Department said this afternoon that the 14th case of COVID-19 has been confirmed in Hill County.

Hill County had stayed off the list of new infections since its first case in March until last weekend.

A new case was confirmed Saturday, July 4, then four more cases were confirmed Monday.

Several more cases were confirmed throughout the week, and the county ended with 13 cases, 12 active, by the end of the week.

The new case confirmed today brings the county to its new total of 14 cases.

The health department said the newly confirmed case was identified through contact tracing, testing people whom people previously confirmed as infected had been in contact with.

The Hill County confirmation comes as the state continues in a new wave of confirmed cases, nearly tripling the confirmed number of cases since Montana entered Phase 2 of its reopening phase.

As of the state update this morning, Montana had 1,758 confirmed cases with 83 new cases, much higher than the daily total for any day from March through May.

Hill County Public Health Director Kim Larson said last week she thinks people have become complacent about taking precautions against the virus.

Public health and state officials are urging people to take precautions to prevent acquiring or spreading the virus.

Centers for Diseases Control and Prevention lists what people should do:

There is currently no vaccine to prevent coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

The best way to prevent illness is to avoid being exposed to this virus.

The virus is thought to spread mainly from person-to-person.

Between people who are in close contact with one another (within about 6 feet).

Through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs, sneezes or talks.

These droplets can land in the mouths or noses of people who are nearby or possibly be inhaled into the lungs.

Some recent studies have suggested that COVID-19 may be spread by people who are not showing symptoms.

Everyone Should

Wash your hands often

Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds especially after you have been in a public place, or after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.

It’s especially important to wash:

Before eating or preparing food

Before touching your face

After using the restroom

After leaving a public place

After blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing

After handling your cloth face covering

After changing a diaper

After caring for someone sick

After touching animals or pets

If soap and water are not readily available, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. Cover all surfaces of your hands and rub them together until they feel dry.

Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.n

Avoid close contact

Inside your home: Avoid close contact with people who are sick.

If possible, maintain 6 feet between the person who is sick and other household members.

Outside your home: Put 6 feet of distance between yourself and people who don’t live in your household.

Remember that some people without symptoms may be able to spread virus.

Stay at least 6 feet (about 2 arms’ length) from other people.

Keeping distance from others is especially important for people who are at higher risk of getting very sick.

Cover your mouth and nose with a cloth face cover when around others

You could spread COVID-19 to others even if you do not feel sick.

The cloth face cover is meant to protect other people in case you are infected.

Everyone should wear a cloth face cover in public settings and when around people who don’t live in your household, especially when other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain.

Cloth face coverings should not be placed on young children under age 2, anyone who has trouble breathing, or is unconscious, incapacitated or otherwise unable to remove the mask without assistance.

Do NOT use a facemask meant for a healthcare worker. Currently, surgical masks and N95 respirators are critical supplies that should be reserved for healthcare workers and other first responders.

Continue to keep about 6 feet between yourself and others. The cloth face cover is not a substitute for social distancing.

Cover coughs and sneezes

Always cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze or use the inside of your elbow and do not spit.

Throw used tissues in the trash.

Immediately wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not readily available, clean your hands with a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.

Clean and disinfect

Clean AND disinfect frequently touched surfaces daily. This includes tables, doorknobs, light switches, countertops, handles, desks, phones, keyboards, toilets, faucets, and sinks.

If surfaces are dirty, clean them. Use detergent or soap and water prior to disinfection.

Then, use a household disinfectant. Most common EPA-registered household disinfectantsexternal icon will work.

Monitor Your Health Daily

Be alert for symptoms. Watch for fever, cough, shortness of breath, or other symptoms of COVID-19.

Especially important if you are running essential errands, going into the office or workplace, and in settings where it may be difficult to keep a physical distance of 6 feet.

Take your temperature if symptoms develop.

Don’t take your temperature within 30 minutes of exercising or after taking medications that could lower your temperature, like acetaminophen.

Follow CDC guidance if symptoms develop.