Health department preparing for anticipated COVID-19 surge this fall

The Hill County Commission approved an amendment to a contract in their weekly business meeting Thursday that will allow the Hill County Health Department to hire a congregate living coordinator and additional staff to address the next surge of COVID-19, which the department director anticipates will come this fall.

Hill County Public Health Director and Health Officer Kim Berg said the congregate living coordinator would monitor infections in places like long-term care and assisted-living facilities, Montana State University Northern's dorms, Havre Day Activity Center and the Hill County Detention Center.

The job would include tracking things like COVID-19 in these areas where infection can spread very quickly, and make sure high-risk populations in particular are cared for properly.

Berg said the money to hire this person comes from the state's emergency preparedness fund which recently received some additional support from the federal government and was able to allocate more money to local health departments.

She said the allocation to Hill County will support the position for two years but they are hoping for longer.

She said the funds received will also allow the department to hire more staff to address the surge of COVID-19 and influenza in a few months.

"In the fall we're anticipating an increase in COVID-19," Berg said.

The commission also approved Hill County Justice of the Peace Audrey Barger's request to obtain an American Sign Language interpreter for someone who will need it in upcoming court proceedings.

Both of these requests along with a number of budget amendments were approved 2-0 as Hill County Commissioner Diane McLean was absent.