U.S. has half-million COVID-19-related deaths

Despite a slight downward trend in the U.S. for the number of new COVID-19 cases confirmed and new COVID-19 related deaths, and a push for vaccinations, the nation hit a dark milestone Monday with more than half a million Americans dead due to the disease.

Johns Hopkins University of Medicine reported on its COVID-19 online dashboard that the deaths in the U.S. stand at 500,617, about the number of Americans who died in World War II, the Korean War and the Vietnam war combined.

The numbers highlight the urging of federal officials and health experts worldwide to continue to take the virus seriously and treat its illness for what it is - a deadly disease still rampant across the U.S. and the world.

Officials urge people to get vaccinated as quickly as possible and to follow steps to slow the spread of the virus, staying home if they don't need to be out, avoiding large gatherings, staying at least six feet away from others when possible, regularly washing and disinfecting surfaces and regularly washing their hands for at least 20 seconds with soap and water or with a hand sanitizer with at least 60 percent alcohol, and, possibly the most important, wearing cloth masks when out in public.

And the vaccination clinics are ongoing in this area.

Hill County Health Department put out a call this morning for people to sign up for the next first-shot clinic, Thursday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Openings at the clinic were available this morning, and the health department urged people to call 400-2369 to get on the list. The department said it is still working in the Phase 1B schedule, people 70 and older or people 16 to 69 with qualifying underlying health conditions.

Fort Belknap Indian Community also put out a call for people to get vaccinated, with the tribal council's Facebook page having a post saying COVID-19 vaccinations were available for the general public 18 years and older.

The post said walk-ins are welcome at all locations or people can call Bryar at 353-3219 to schedule an appointment. Walk-ups also are welcome for the mobile units in Lodge Pole and Zortman, the post said, adding, "Help keep Fort Belknap safe!"

Rocky Boy Health Center posted earlier this month that it was entering Phase 5 of its vaccination plan beginning Feb. 16. That includes the members of all previous phases and all other Rocky Boy residents and non-residents eligible for services at the center, 18 and older. People can call 395-1655 or 395 1641 to schedule a vaccination, the Facebook post said.

Blaine County Health Department posted earlier this month that it is collecting information from people who want to be vaccinated and scheduling appointments as allotments of the vaccine allows. People are asked to call 357-2345.

Havre's Western Drug Pharmacy also has announced it had received a shipment of the Moderna vaccine and is scheduling appointments for vaccinations, and Gary & Leo's Health Mart reports it is approved and on a waiting list and is just waiting on allocations on the vaccine to start scheduling appointments.

The Chouteau County Health Department Facebook page had a post saying the county is finishing up Phase 1B of the state vaccination schedule and will be moving into Phase 1C. People can call 622-3771 to be put on the vaccination list.

The numbers of new cases and deaths in the local region, and most of the state, has slowed significantly in recent months but, for the population, the numbers accumulated, and still going up, are stark.

The state tracking map reports that Montanans have had 99,040 confirmed cases and 1,346 Montanans have died of confirmed COVID-19-related causes.

In Hill County, 40 people have died from confirmed COVID-19-related causes and 1,888 cases in county residents have been confirmed.

Blaine County lists 24 deaths and 718 cases, while Chouteau County has five deaths and 485 cases and Liberty County has one death and 118 cases.