Blaine County reports another COVID death

Blaine County Health Department reported Friday that it was notified of another COVID-19-related death in a county resident between Wednesday and Friday.

That brings the total deaths in Blaine County to 29.

The health department reported the county has 15 active cases with no active hospitalizations.

Blaine County has had a total of 1,516 cases since the pandemic hit Montana in March 2020.

The report says community transmission level is high and masks are recommended for all people in public areas.

No new deaths have been reported in Chouteau, Hill or Liberty counties, the state tracking map update this morning said, with those counties at eight, 71 and two deaths, respectively.

With a surge hitting the country, following surges in Europe and other areas, and the new omicron variant starting to turn up in the United States, health officials are urging people to continue to take steps to slow transmission of the virus that causes COVID-19, steps like avoiding large groups, wearing a mask in public spaces, regularly washing hands, covering coughs with a cloth or elbow, and, most importantly, getting vaccinated or a booster shot.

People 18 and older who were vaccinated with the Johnson & Johnson vaccine two months or longer ago or completed their Moderna or Pfizer two-shot vaccination six months or longer ago are urged to get a booster, with any vaccine available. The booster does not have to be the vaccine used in the original vaccination.

The Blaine County Health Department release said the department continues to offer first and second dose and booster dose walk-in COVID-19 vaccinations Thursdays from 8:30-11:30 a.m. and 1-4:30 p.m. at the health department at 420A Ohio Street in Chinook. Pfizer, Moderna and Johnson and Johnson COVID-19 vaccines are available and people with questions can call 406-357-2345, the report said.

In Blaine County, people can also contact Fort Belknap Health Center by calling the public health nurse at 406-353-3250 or the pharmacy at 406-353-3104 to ask about vaccinations and booster shots.

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 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 406-395-4486.

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.