Northern Montana Care Center reports staff member with COVID-19

Northern Montana Care Center reported Wednesday that a staff member at the care center has tested positive with COVID-19.

"This person was identified quickly and has been quarantined per the (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) guidelines," a release from the care center said.

The release said no residents of the care center are showing symptoms of COVID-19 and the center will be testing all residents.

Northern Montana Health Care Vice President of Regulatory and Community Services Christen Obresley said this morning that baseline testing of all residents and staff will be completed by 5 p.m. today.

"We will continue to test all residents and staff every seven days until the facility goes 14 days without a new positive," she said.

Obresley said it is unknown at this time how the care center staff member acquired the virus.

Some people who acquire the virus that causes COVID-19, novel coronavirus 2019 or SARS-CoV-2, show little to no symptoms but the elderly and people with some underlying health conditions such as respiratory disorders are at a higher risk of developing severe and even life-threatening symptoms if they are infected with the virus.

Numbers have surged in Montana in the last three months, with Hill County experiencing its first new cases since March starting July 4. The numbers in Hill County listed by the county Health Department Wednesday night were, with four new cases confirmed, a total of 123 cases in the county with 21 active, two currently hospitalized, three deaths and three recovered cases.

Hill County Health Director and county Health Officer Kim Larson said this morning that Northern Montana Health Care is taking every step it can to protect its staff and residents.

"They are doing what they need to do, so please be patient and respectful during this time," she said. "They will keep the public informed on the situation and are doing everything they can at this point.

"This is a good reminder that staying six feet apart, wearing your face covering, washing your hands frequently and sanitizing surfaces frequently is what everyone should be doing to slow the spread of COVID-19 and other illnesses in our community," Larson added. "The face covering you choose to wear isn't about protecting you from others, but it is about protecting others from you. Be a good neighbor, friend and family member and do your part to stop this virus."

Obresley said The Hill County Health Department is conducting contact tracing of people who test positive.

"With an abundance of caution Northern Montana Care Center has identified additional individuals who are being asked to remain at home for the next 14 days," she said.

She said the care center has been following practices since the pandemic started to reduce the chance of spreading the virus to residents and staff members, including staff members wearing surgical masks or N95 Masks at all times.

"They are now wearing face-shields as well," Obresley added.

She said regular and frequent handwashing is a long-time practice of the care center, and from the beginning of the pandemic the environmental services department has been diligently cleaning all high-touch surfaces in the facility.

The center has taken other steps to reduce the chance of spreading the virus, Obresley said.

"Since the beginning of the pandemic, we have canceled communal dining, group activities and visitation," she said. "We have been screening our residents and staff for symptoms consistent with COVID-19 daily.

"Since the positive test result we have increased the number of times per day that we are screening residents to three," Obresley added. "Screening of resident includes monitoring for signs and symptoms consistent with COVID-19 and pulse, temperature and oxygen level."

The release said Northern Montana Health Care will update with any changes as they happen, adding that Northern Montana Health Care wishes to be transparent and forthcoming with any information regarding the COVID-19 crisis and how it applies to Northern Montana Health Care.

"The safety of our residents and staff is our top priority," the release said.