Chinook schools report confirmed case of COVID-19

Chinook Public Schools now has reported a confirmed case of COVID-19 in the district.

The district announced that Tuesday it was notified of a school-related case of COVID-19 in a student from the elementary school.

“School officials are working closely and consistently with Blaine County Health Department to assess the risk to the rest of our school population,” the announcement said. “Through the case investigation, it was discovered that the school-associated case did not have any contact with anyone at the school during the infectious period. All of the contacts of the case have been notified and are quarantined. ”

The report comes as Havre Public Schools announced last week a confirmed case at Sunnyside Intermediate School, and Northern Montana Health Care reported a confirmed case in a staff member at Northern Montana Health Care the week before that.

No new cases have been reported in the Havre schools or at the care center since the initial reports, and contact tracing was conducted at both and the care center announced additional restrictions while the investigation and more testing is done.

The cases comes as new cases continue to be confirmed in the region.

Hill County reported four new cases Tuesday for a total of 141 confirmed cases, 30 active and one hospitalized with three deaths and 108 recovered cases.

Blaine County reported a total of four new cases Tuesday, with 21 total, six active and 15 recovered.

Chouteau County reported Tuesday having 11 active cases with 7 new cases and 15 recovered.

The state COVID-19 tracking map this morning listed Liberty County with no new cases and four active and 12 recovered for a total of 16 cases.

And the increases here are among large increases in the state. The tracking map this morning listed 214 new cases for a total of 10,912 in the state, 2,237 active with 165 total deaths and 124 active hospitalizations.

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The Chinook Public Schools release said the COVID response in the school district will be an ongoing effort.

“We will update families and the community as the situation develops throughout the school year,” it said. 

“This is a reminder to stay vigilant. Do not send kids to school if they are sick,” the release said. “Follow the guidance of local public health. The recent increase in cases puts Blaine County above the 4 active case threshold that requires masks be worn in schools when the 6 feet of physical distancing is not maintained.

“Thank you for doing your part to keep Blaine County safe and healthy,” the release concludes.