Local COVID test distribution underway

This version clarifies that tests can be picked up at Blaine County Health Department, not Hill County Health Department.

Distribution of free at-home COVID-19 tests is happening in the area as numbers of new cases drop in the area and in the state, though they still are higher than before the start of the surge driven by the omicron variant of the virus that causes the disease.

Hill County Health Department held a distribution of the free antigen home tests Tuesday at Great Northern Fairgrounds, and Rocky Boy Health Center is holding a distribution at the health center parking lot Thursday from 1-3 p.m. or until all tests are gone.

Blaine County Health Department also has been distributing tests with offerings this week starting Monday.

At-home tests continue to be available at the Blaine County Health Department in the Blaine County Courthouse Annex at 420A Ohio in Chinook from 8 a.m. to noon and 1-5 p.m. through Friday; at the Harlem Public Library from noon to 6 p.m. today and Thursday and from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday, and at the Turner School Main Office from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. today and Thursday.

The Blaine County Health Department Facebook post about the distribution says the test kits, which each contain two tests that are intended for use by one person and are provided with instructions for using them and for reporting test results to http://www.hometest.mt.gov or to the Blaine County Health Department at 406-357-2345.

The distribution has a limited supply and no holds will be allowed, the post said, adding that the CareStart COVID-19 Antigen Home Tests are being distributed by the state government at no cost to recipients to reduce the transmission of COVID-19.

Distribution at the Blaine County events is one test per person per household

Hill County Health Department Director Kim Berg, also Hill County health officer, said this morning that her department received 928 test kits to distribute and passed out about 100 Tuesday.

"We will be getting more this week from the state, and we are working on exploring different avenues to distribute throughout all of Hill County and reach those who were not able to get to the event yesterday," she said.

While numbers of new cases are down, the confirmations are still coming in with local hospitalizations and deaths also occurring.

Blaine County reported its 30th death this week, and the state reported Monday the 14th COVID-19-related death in Chouteau County.

The Hill County death toll remained at 71 as of this morning, with Liberty County still reporting two deaths according to this morning's state update.

In its update Tuesday evening, Blaine County Health Department reported 22 new cases and three hospitalizations.

Tuesday evening's update from Hill County Health Department reported 45 new cases and one active hospitalization.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that the omicron variant spreads much more easily than earlier variants and it expects that anyone with omicron infection can spread the virus to others, even if they are vaccinated or don't have symptoms.

People infected with the omicron variant can present with symptoms similar to previous variants. The presence and severity of symptoms can be affected by COVID-19 vaccination status, the presence of other health conditions, age, and history of prior infection.

Omicron infection generally causes less severe disease than infection with prior variants. Preliminary data suggest that Omicron may cause more mild disease, although some people may still have severe disease, need hospitalization, and could die from the infection with this variant. Even if only a small percentage of people with omicron infection need hospitalization, the large volume of cases could overwhelm the health care system which is why it's important to take steps to protect yourself.

COVID-19 vaccines remain the best public health measure to protect people from COVID-19 and reduce the likelihood of new variants emerging. This includes primary series, booster shots and additional doses for those who need them.