Surge continues, new death listed in Chouteau

As the surge of new cases of COVID-19 continues in the state and in this area, data reconciliation has listed another death in Chouteau County, bringing that county's total of COVID-19-related deaths to 12.

Montana Department of Health and Human Services reported reconciling data led to two more confirmations of fatalities, one in Chouteau County and one in Park County, with one death occurring in November and one this month, although which date was in which county is not listed.

And the deaths are added as more record-breaking numbers of new cases are added.

Hill County Health Department listed Wednesday 159 new confirmed cases and two people requiring hospitalization, bringing the total of active cases to 252.

That number was listed after Hill County Health Department Director Kim Berg, also the county health officer, said the department is unable to keep up with the number of new cases coming in. She said during a 10 a.m. meeting that 40 cases had been reported the department had not yet been able to contact to confirm and report.

Havre Public Schools reported eight new cases in people associated with the district confirmed Wednesday, bringing the total for the week so far to 19.

The district also had to cancel a strategic planning meeting scheduled for today with Montana School Boards Association General Counsel Debra Silk because the school board association suspended travel of its staff due to the COVID surge.

Blaine County reported 39 new cases confirmed Wednesday with 157 active cases in the county.

The state update this morning listed five new cases in Chouteau County with nine active and four new cases in Liberty County with 24 active.

The surge already has had major impacts including canceling school athletic events, closing schools or putting them into online learning and leading Fort Belknap Indian Community to impose a lockdown on Fort Belknap Indian Reservation.

Officials are urging people to take every step they can to protect themselves and slow the spread of the virus, with the most crucial getting vaccinated or a vaccine booster if they have not done so yet.

The vaccines for COVID-19 have remained effective at preventing hospitalization and death through out the pandemic and the rollout of boosters for the vaccines provide an extra layer of protection that drastically reduces the chances of people getting seriously ill.

Aside from vaccination, much of the same procedures are still recommended to slow the spread of the virus, including omicron. Wearing masks while in public areas is still a key way to slow the spread of - and reduce the chance of contracting - the virus, with recommended masks still effective at reducing the spread of the variants of the virus, including omicron.

Avoiding being in large groups of people outside of a person's household when possible also will reduce the chance of contracting the virus, as will regular handwashing and people covering their coughs and sneezes with a tissue or their elbow.

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.

The Blaine County Health Department, 406-357-2345, and the Fort Belknap Health Center, public health nurse 406-353-3250 and pharmacy at 406-353-3104, 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.