New COVID-19 cases continue to come in

New cases of COVID-19 continue to be confirmed in the area, including in school districts.

After Chester-Joplin-Inverness Schools this week delayed its planned Wednesday opening until Aug. 31 due to COVID-19, Havre Public Schools reported confirmed cases in the district in the first two days of school.

CJI Superintendent Tim Bronk had not responded to requests for more information on those schools' closures by printing deadline this morning.

Havre Superintendent Craig Mueller issued a release Wednesday saying one case had been confirmed that day, the first day of school for Havre and most districts in the area, in a person who had been in contact at Sunnyside Intermediate School with other people associated with the district that day.

Mueller issued another release Thursday saying the district was notified that day of two more cases confirmed in people associated with the district. One had been in contact with others from the district Monday at Sunnyside and the other was in contact with district people Thursday at Highland Park Early Primary School.

Contact tracing was conducted on all three people by Hill County Health Department with the assistance of Havre Public Schools Nurse Jeri Zorn, the release said.

The release said anyone at risk of exposure will be contacted by the heath department or Zorn to determine the appropriate course of action, adding that anyone who feels sick or ill is recommended to talk to their medical provider for specific instructions.

The district is in contact with the health department and reviewing the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidance to complete cleaning the school and other related facilities, the release said.

The release said other steps taken by the district include the continuation of social and physical distancing, encouraging face coverings and frequent hand washing and hand sanitizing.

State law is complicating health officials' and business and institution's actions with COVID-19. CDC recommends vaccinated people get tested 3-5 days after the date of being exposed to COVID-19 and wear a mask in public indoor settings for 14 days after exposure or until a negative test result comes back, but they don't need to quarantine.

It recommends vaccinated people who test positive or are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms isolate.

CDC recommends unvaccinated people who are exposed to the virus quarantine and that they isolate if they are infected with the virus.

But a bill passed by the Legislature and signed into law by Gov. Greg Gianforte says no one can "discriminate" against people based on their vaccination status, which has been interpreted as basically saying that no one can put unvaccinated people into quarantine unless vaccinated people also are quarantined.

Havre Public Schools also has not implemented a mask mandate, making wearing a mask optional.

The Havre Public Schools numbers are included in the totals for the county, which reported 13 new cases in its release Wednesday and 14 new cases Thursday. That put the total number of active cases in Hill County 96 with five active hospitalizations. The county has had 47 COVID-19 related deaths, with one of those deaths reported this week.

The health department release also noted that the state tracking numbers have been different than the numbers released by the department, and staff is working with the state Department of Public Health and Human Services to correct the problem.

Blaine County Health Department Thursday reported being notified of 10 new cases in that county, with 43 active cases and one active hospitalization. Blaine County has had 24 COVID-19-related deaths.

The Blaine County release adds that its surveillance of community illness suggests that many people in the county are experiencing illness with COVID-19-like symptoms.

"Please continue to wash and sanitize your hands frequently, wear a mask when distancing isn't possible, stay home if you are ill, and consider COVID-19 vaccination," the release said.

The release said Blaine County Health Department will continue to offer walk-in COVID-19 vaccinations Thursdays at the health department at 420A Ohio Street in Chinook. People can call 406-357-2345 with questions.

Liberty County Health Department reported no new cases in its update Thursday, listing nine active cases in that county.

In Hill County, vaccinations are available through Bullhook Community Health Center, 406-395-4305; the Hill County Health Department, 406-400-2415; Northern Montana Health Care's Specialty Medical Center at 406-265-7831 or it's family Family Medical Center at 406-265-5408; Western Drug Pharmacy, 406-265-9601; Gary & Leo's Pharmacy, which takes walk-ins, Walmart and the Rocky Boy Health Center, 406-395-1655.

Vaccinations are available in Blaine County through the Blaine County Health Department, 406-357-2345, and Fort Belknap Health Center at 406-353-3219.

Vaccine is available in Chouteau County at the Chouteau County Health Department, 406-622-3771, and Big Sandy Pharmacy at 406-378-5588.

People can call Liberty County Health Department at 406-759-5517 to schedule a vaccination.