Health officials urge quarantine, vaccination as numbers rise

As COVID-19 numbers continue to surge locally and statewide, officials are urging people to work to protect themselves and others to slow the spread of the virus that causes the disease, including by getting vaccinated.

Hill County Health Department reported Tuesday 35 new cases confirmed in the county, the highest number to date by the tracking of Havre Daily News.

The previous highest one-day total for Hill County was reported Oct. 8, 2020, with 34 new cases, 117 active and one active hospitalization.

Hill County Health Department reported Tuesday the county has 162 active cases and seven hospitalizations.

The new surge and high numbers is coming despite the rollout of vaccines at the end of last year, with high levels of people not getting vaccinated.

Officials report that most cases this year are in unvaccinated people and that almost all people being hospitalized or dying from the disease are unvaccinated. But despite having 40 percent to 50 percent of eligible people vaccinated, the numbers of cases this fall still are higher than a year ago.

The delta variant of the virus driving the surge is reported to be twice or more contagious than the virus in the region last year.

In Hill County, the state reports that half of the people in the county eligible to be vaccinated still have not been vaccinated, just less than the state level of 51 percent.

Statewide, the update this morning reported that 1,183 new cases were confirmed, with 8,670 active cases and 364 hospitalizations.

Locally, Blaine County Health Department reported 11 new cases in its update Tuesday, with 70 active cases, compared to no active cases one year ago.

The state reports 49 percent of eligible Blaine County residents are vaccinated.

Chouteau County had four new cases, 19 active, compared to four active cases on this date in 2020.

Of its eligible residents 45 percent are vaccinated.

Liberty County had one new case and 16 active, compared to eight active cases a year ago.

Liberty County has 34 percent of its eligible residents vaccinated.

The surge has officials scrambling to deal with the high numbers of cases.

Liberty County Public Health said in a Facebook Post Friday it was actively working on notifying close contacts, but due to the high volume of contacts, it asked people to be patient as staff members worked through the list.

“If you believe you are a contact, please don’t hesitate to contact us at 759-5517,” the post said.

Hill County Health Department has said it has been restricted due to numbers, state laws effectively preventing the department from enforcing quarantine and budget issues restricting staffing.

The Hill County Commission last week approved allocating $100,000 in COVID relief funds for the department to hire more personnel to deal with the surge.

In its update Tuesday, the Hill County Health Department said that while quarantine procedures have changed — they are asking people to voluntarily follow Centers for Disease Control and Prevention quarantine recommendations — the purpose has not.

“It is one of the best ways we have to protect our community and stop the spread of diseases before it gets out of hand,” the report said. “Together we can do what’s best for the community, by staying home when we are identified as a contact to protect others around us and interrupt disease transmission. Being here to support others once diagnosed with devastating illness is one of this communities biggest strengths … let’s use that and be here to support others by doing our part to protect them from this illness.”

CDC recommends vaccinated people do not need to quarantine when they are exposed to the virus, although they should receive a COVID-19 test three to five days after exposure and wear a mask indoors in public for 14 days or until a negative test result returns.

Vaccinated people are recommended to isolate if they test positive for COVID-19.

The CDC recommends that all unvaccinated people exposed to the virus quarantine to reduce its spread and to isolate if they test positive for the disease.

Rocky Boy Health Center said in a Facebook post Friday that testing will be by appointment only and asked people to call contact tracing at 395-1774, 395-1462, 395-1717 or the COVID clinic at 395-1712 foran appointment. It added that if the test result is negative, people will not receive a call and should call contact tracing if they need confirmation.

It also told people to be prepared to answer questions asked by the nurse as the health center is following CDC guidelines.

Vaccines are offered Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. with no appointment needed, it said.

It asked people who received a vaccine at another facility to call 395-1641 to have the information entered in their medical chart.

The update on the Fort Belknap Community Council Facebook page said the situation continues to be extremely dangerous. Everyone including fully vaccinated individuals were reminded that restrictions on Fort Belknap Indian Reservation are still in place including wearing a mask, practicing social distancing by 6 feet, washing and sanitize hands, and if people do not feel well they should notify Indain Health Service at 353-3100 in advance and to get tested

“Please remember that our children (younger than 12 are) still not vaccinated and they are at risk. Parents and guardians are responsible for children following safety measures. Please stay safe and keep your family safe,” the post said.

It added that COVID vaccinations are available free for the general public and people can call 353-3219 to schedule an appointment or walk-ins are welcome.