COVID-19 cases continue to drop in area and the U.S.

COVID-19 cases continue to drop in the area as experts remain hopeful that the omicron surge in the U.S. is waning.

While health officials across the U.S. continue to urge caution and vigilance many have expressed hope that cases will continue to decline and that the omicron wave is nearing its end.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention noted in its latest update last week that cases are down more than 53 percent from their peak in mid January, but community transmission is still very high.

This high transmission has been attributed to the omicron variant being extremely contagious compared to the delta variant that drove the waves seen last year.

CDC's update says based on data projections omicron, due to how easily its transmitted, now accounts for 99 percent of cases in the U.S., utterly eclipsing delta, which itself did much the same thing to the original strain of the virus that causes COVID-19.

Thankfully, despite how much more contagious it is, the new variant appears to cause far less severe illness and consequently is less likely to hospitalize or kill those who get it.

This, coupled with the fact that the current wave appears to be receding, has led to a feeling of cautious optimism for the near-future among health care experts.

However, the prospect of new variants remains, and though many experts hope such variants will continue to be less and less severe, they are still encouraging as many people as possible to get vaccinated, as the more people who are immunized the less likely it is for new variants to develop and the shorter the pandemic will be.

The update says the COVID-19 vaccines available in the United States are effective at protecting people from getting seriously ill, hospitalized and dying and everyone in the United States ages 5 years and older is eligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccine.

As for the immediate area, while counties have reported new deaths recently, cases have dropped considerably in the past few weeks, as well, though they are still generally higher than they were were prior to the omicron variant-driven surge in January and on.

Hill County Health Department reported Wednesday 15 new cases with two active hospitalizations and 148 active cases.

Blaine County Health Department reported Thursday nine new cases confirmed with four active hospitalizations and 101 active cases.

Chouteau County had five new cases confirmed, the state tracking map reported in its update this morning, with 14 active cases.

Liberty County had one new case confirmed, the state tracking map reported in its update this morning, with 10 active cases.

As the omicron variant appears to be more likely to cause breakthrough or recurring infections, 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.

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.

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