COVID cases surge again locally

Following confirmation last week of the omicron variant of the virus that causes COVID-19 being in Hill County, the area has again started to see a surge in cases, though still not as high as earlier last fall.

Hill County Health Department, which reported Thursday four new cases and 12 active cases in the county, said in its update Monday the county had 26 new cases confirmed from Friday on, with 32 active cases in the county.

The update said the department had no information about the omicron case other than that it was confirmed in the county.

"Please continue to do your part to slow the spread of COVID-19," the update said. "Stay home when you are sick, wash your hands frequently, get tested if you have symptoms and get vaccinated if you are able to."

Blaine County Health Department, which reported Thursday three new cases and three active cases in the county, reported Monday seven new cases and nine active cases.

The update also lists vaccination opportunities.

"Blaine County Health Department continues to offer first and second dose and booster dose walk-in COVID-19 vaccinations on Thursdays (8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.) at the health department at 420A Ohio Street in Chinook," the update said. "Pfizer, Moderna and Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccines available."

The updated added that Pfizer boosters are now available for 16- and 17-year-olds six months after they complete their initial vaccination and the department now has pediatric Pfizer COVID vaccine for 5- to 11-year-olds by appointment only.

And it adds that COVID-19 is not the only viral disease showing up.

Blaine County is also seeing other viral activity to include influenza and RSV that usually causes mild, cold-like symptoms but can be serious, especially for infants and older adults. The update said influenza vaccine is still available at the Blaine County Health Department and people can call for an appointment.

"Wash your hands, cover your cough and sneeze, stay away from sick people, stay home when you're sick," the update said. 

It added that people with questions can call 406-357-2345.

The state COVID-19 tracking map update this morning listed one new case for Chouteau County with six active cases.

No new cases and one active case were listed for Liberty County.

Statewide, the tracking map listed 935 new cases and 3,738 active cases in Montana.

The statewide number of new cases had dropped as low as 164 Dec. 16 and the number of active cases was listed Thursday at 2,741, almost a thousand lower than today's listing.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said in a Dec. 20 update that work to learn about the omicron variant and how easily it spreads, the severity of illness it causes or how well vaccines and medications work against it is still being conducted.

The update says that the omicron variant likely will spread more easily than the original virus that caused COVID-19 and how easily omicron spreads compared to delta remains unknown. CDC expects that anyone with omicron infection can spread the virus to others, even if they are vaccinated or don't have symptoms, the update said.

The variant, which quickly became the dominant strain in most of the world and caused a massive surge, has rapidly spread in the United States as well.

Initial data indicates the variant may be less likely than previous variants to cause serious illness and death on a per-case basis, but if massive increases in numbers of cases occur, high numbers of hospitalizations and deaths still could follow.

Initial evidence shows that people who have been fully vaccinated and received booster shots after six months following completion of the two-shot Moderna and Pfizer vaccination series and two months after the single-shot Johnson & Johnson vaccination have high protection against death or serious illness.

But the vaccine may easily be carried by people who may not know they have it, including people who have received a vaccination and booster, officials said.

Health officials are continuing much the same message from the start of the pandemic: people should wear a cloth mask when out in public areas to reduce the chance of their spreading the virus, people should avoid large groups when possible and everyone needs to get vaccinated and get a booster when eligible.

People also are encouraged to get tested if they are concerned, and the federal government is working to provide at-home tests to people who want them.

CDC has recommended that people who are confirmed to have COVID-19 should isolate for five days, then test and if cleared can end isolation.

People who are exposed to COVID-19 should test on day 5 if possible and wear a mask when around others.

But the primary message is for people to get vaccinated.

Vaccines have been approved for people 5 and older.

In Hill County, vaccinations and booster shots 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.

In Blaine County, the Fort Belknap Health Center, public health nurse 406-353-3250 and pharmacy at 406-353-3104, also can schedule vaccinations and booster shots.

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.