'Monty Python's Spamalot' delayed due to COVID-19 as case numbers mount

The latest surge of COVID-19 is having a direct impact on local entertainment, as, once again, the pandemic has thrown a wrench into the works for Montana Actors' Theatre.

The acting troupe has had to delay its opening of "Monty Python's Spamalot."

MAT Artistic Director Grant Olson said one cast member tested positive for COVID-19, so they've pushed back the opening for the play, originally opening next weekend, until Jan. 20 for the sake of public safety.

Olson said the cast member who tested positive has mild symptoms and is doing fine, and as long as everyone can stay healthy they will be able to open Jan. 20.

The news comes as COVID numbers again are going up in the area and the state, mirroring an omicron variant-driven surge in the nation and the rest of the world.

After having numbers of active cases and daily new cases drop in the area - to nearly zero or zero in some of the local counties - the daily numbers again are going up.

Hill County Health Department reported Thursday 17 new cases with 54 active cases.

Blaine County reported one new case Thursday with 13 active cases.

The state COVID-19 tracking map this morning listed two new cases in Liberty County with seven active cases and no new cases confirmed in Chouteau County, which has 10 active cases.

Statewide, Montana saw 1,161 new cases confirmed Thursday with 6,111 active cases, 152 active hospitalizations and 2,917 deaths and 202,863 total cases since the pandemic hit the state.

Olson said the delay is disappointing. He said MAT is definitely itching to preform, but their first priority is the safety of the cast and the community, so they're working with Hill County Public Health on a plan.

"We're hoping to still do performance art, because we have to to survive, but we want to keep the cast and our community safe," he said. "We're hoping to do both."

Olson said he's still cautiously optimistic even with the surge of COVID-19 in the U.S.

This is not the first time the pandemic has hurt MAT's schedule.

"Mamma Mia!" was canceled the week of its planned production in 2020 when a state of emergency was declared for Montana and the Office of Commissioner of Higher Education closed all Montana public university and college campuses, ordering the institutions to move to distanced learning for the rest of the year.

The set was built, the stage was ready and the lines were rehearsed - but the play was put on hold until its production in September of last year.

MAT members said the delay even caused some roles to be recast as some of the original actors had to move away from the area or had other obligations.

Olson said those looking to keep up to date on "Monty Python's Spamalot" or anything else going on at MAT can check their website or Facebook, https://mtactors.com/, https://www.facebook.com/MATHavre respectively, for updates.

Omicron research continues

The exact nature of the omicron variant is still being studied, but data indicates it is much more contagious than previous variants. It appears to be less likely to cause severe illness or death, although with the higher numbers coming in during the surge large numbers of people still are being hospitalized and deaths from the variant are occurring.

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 virus 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.

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Havre Daily News managing editor Tim Leeds contributed to this report.