Clinics continue as deaths rise

Area COVID-19 vaccination and booster shot clinics continue, along with a push for flu vaccinations, as COVID-19-related deaths continue in the area.

Hill County Health Department reported Tuesday the 65th COVID-19-related death in a Hill County resident since the pandemic hit the area in March 2020.

It is the 19th COVID-19-related death since Havre Daily again began tracking daily numbers Aug. 6 as the delta variant-driven surge hit the area.

Blaine County has recorded three additional COVID-19-related deaths since Aug. 6, and Liberty and Chouteau counties each have recorded one additional death.

Blaine, Chouteau, Hill and Liberty counties have recorded a total of 102 deaths since the start of the pandemic.

Hill County's most recent death comes as health officials warn that a new surge in cases, driven by the "delta-plus" variant, is starting to hit the U.S. Health Officials are urging people to get boosters and all eligible people who are not vaccinated to get vaccinated, including children 5-11 for whom U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved giving a pediatric dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine.

And clinics are continuing in the area to administer boosters and vaccinations.

After holding a COVID-19 and influenza vaccination clinic for children 5-7 in Holiday Village Mall Tuesday, Northern Montana Health Care is holding another clinic for that age group Thursday in the Holiday Village Mall Thursday from 4-7 p.m.

Blaine County Health Department is holding a COVID-19 vaccination booster clinic today at the Commercial Building on the Blaine County Fairgrounds from 3-6:30 p.m.

Rocky Boy Health Center is holding a vaccination clinic for 5-11-year-olds today in the Grand Hallway at the center from 3-7 p.m. and is holding another at the same location from 3-7 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 1.

And local health centers and agencies are urging people to contact them for information about vaccinations and boosters.

Rocky Boy Health Center said in a Facebook post appointments will be available at the health center Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.

Child vaccines will not be administered at the mobile locations at this time and incentives will be announced soon, the post said.

It invited people to call 406-395-1655 to schedule a vaccination appointment.

Hill County Health Department has invited people to call 406-400-2415 for more information or to schedule an appointment.

In Hill County, vaccinations also are available through Bullhook Community Health Center, 406-395-4305; Northern Montana Health Care's Specialty Medical Center at 406-265-7831 or its 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 Blaine County Health Department, 406-357-2345, and Fort Belknap Health Center, 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.

During the surge, health officials have continued the message they have given basically from the start of the pandemic.

People should stay home if they don't feel well, the officials say, should regularly wash their hands for at least 20 seconds with soap or with a hand sanitizer including at least 60 percent alcohol, should regularly wash and sanitize surfaces, and should wear a mask when in indoor public spaces, and anyone who can should get vaccinated.

The latest death and clinics and available vaccines come as news sources report officials are warning of a likely increase in cases in the country as one of the latest mutations of the virus that causes COVID-19, the delta-plus variant, spreads in the United States.

Numbers of new cases and deaths have been dropping in the U.S. in recent weeks, but that may not last.

Other parts of the world, such as in the United Kingdom, had seen a sharp surge as the delta variant spread, then saw a rapid reduction in cases.

Now the delta-plus variant has caused another surge, with an even higher rate of new cases and deaths in United Kingdom and other parts of the world.

New cases and death rates had started dropping in the United States, but now some areas that saw some of the earliest surges, and the earliest drop in rates, are starting to see numbers climb again.