COVID still big problem in Fallon County, state Study cites Montana one of
Billings, Yellowstone County still hit hardest in Montana least prepared states for COVID Staff Report The neighboring states of North Dakota and South Dakota may be drawing much of the national interest because of high COVID-19 rates when it comes to the impact per capita, but the state of Montana is still having series problems dealing with the pandemic. Even in rural Fallon County, COVID-19 still is a health problem. The county health department was able to announce Monday there had been a slight drop in the number of active positives, but it still is much higher than when the county had less than four positives in late September. The county health department adopted the mask requirement Sept. 30 when the number hit four in the county. As of Monday, the active positives in the county is 53. That is actually an improvement since the county had 80 positives several days earlier. There were six new COVID-19 cases. “Thankfully, many of our patients moved into recovered status over the last couple of days so our current active case count is now 53,” a county healthy department spokesman said with release of Monday’s test results. The department also warned that for a person to be considered to be recovered, they must be at least 10 days past the start of their symptoms, symptoms resolving,
and having no fever for at least 24 hours without medication. “On a positive note, we are seeing some decreased community spread and our community doing a great job masking up to keep others around them safe. Keep up the good work,” the spokesperson said. “On a not so positive note, we have definitely seen an increase in severely symptomatic people. We have had several hospitalizations over the past week. Many of these are from our more vulnerable population, please do what you can to protect them,” the Facebook post reminded local residents. While the number dropped to 53 positives, the number of recovered cases increased to 144 in Monday’s release. There were four patients listed as hospitalized. The county has had a cumulative total of 197 positive COVID-19 cases since the pandemic hit Montana earlier this year. It was the Friday results released by the county health department where the the number of positives were 80 after announcing four new positives. The increase in Fallon County has been dramatic in recent weeks. The number of active cases increased to 39 Nov. 9 – a jump of 15 cases. That looked small a day later when the health department released the latest results of testing
to 70 active COVID-19 cases – almost doubling the previous number. By Nov, 12, the number of active cases had increased to 78 people. COVID stressing state According to a recent interview with NPR, a Montana doctor in Billings explained that her hospital was at a critical level of patients in ICU (intensive care units). She explained that ICU rooms were double-occupied and had several COVID patients in other areas. The state of Montana reported 869 new cases of COVID-19 Tuesday, bringing the total of confirmed cases to 48,027. Yellowstone County continues to be the hot spot in the Treasure State with a total of 4,784 active cases, 4,298 recovered and a total this year of 9,187 cases this year. The county also has had 105 fatalities tied to COVID-19. So far this year 522 Montanans have died and 27,496 have recovered. As of Tuesday, the state had 20,009 active cases. Mask directive As of late September, masks are required to be worn in public setting in Fallon County. According to state-wide directive approved by then Gov. Steve Bullock, there were several exceptions to wearing protective masks. “Businesses, government offices, other persons responsible for indoor spaces open to the public, and sponsors of orga-
Governor Bullock announces new public health measures to curb COVID-19 cases
State Coronavirus Relief Funds will support impacted businesses, provide extra $200 a week in unemployment benefits MONTANA – Governor Steve Bullock today announced new public health measures to limit capacity in bars, restaurants, breweries, distilleries, and casinos, to limit public gatherings to 25 individuals where social distancing is not possible, and to require face coverings in all counties regardless of case count beginning on Friday, November 20 to slow the spread of COVID-19 in Montana. Governor Bullock also announced he would direct unspent Coronavirus Relief Funds to aid businesses impacted by the restrictions and provide $200 a week in additional unemployment benefits to Montanans for four weeks. “We must find a way to make it through these coming winter months. We need all Montanans to recognize that there is widespread community transmission, and your risk of becoming infected with the virus increases the more you engage in gatherings of any kind,” Governor Bullock said. “We all have to collectively recognize that this virus won’t stop spreading through our communities on its own. If we come together and follow the restrictions, we can curb some of the spread we are seeing.” Governor Bullock’s directive places new restrictions to limit gatherings as cases in Montana and across the nation have spiked over the last several weeks. Restaurants, bars, breweries, distilleries and casinos can operate at a maximum of 50 percent capacity, and can close no later than 10 p.m. Tables will be limited to six people per table and establishments are still required to maintain social distancing. Governor Bullock’s directive also modifies the requirements described in the July 15 Directive providing for the mandatory use of face coverings in certain settings and the August 12 Directive providing for the mandatory use of face coverings in all K-12 schools to apply in all counties statewide, whether or not a county has identified four active cases.
Public gatherings will be limited to 25 individuals where social distancing is not possible or observed. The directive exempts places of worship which remain subject to the 50 person limit provided in phase two where social distancing can be maintained. Leaders are encouraged to ensure social distancing and encourage virtual services where possible. The directive does not alter current requirements for schools. Governor Bullock also strongly encouraged Montanans to limit their involvement of any private in-person gatherings of 15 or more people, as private social gatherings are a significant contributor to the spread of the virus. To support businesses impacted by restrictions, the Governor will be providing another round of the Business Stabilization Grants to the existing businesses that have been vetted through the process and have received prior funding. A total of $75 million will be available to businesses. Businesses who have already received Business Stabilization Grants will receive an email inviting them to accept a third round of funding. To be eligible for funding, businesses must agree to comply with all state and local COVID-19 orders including requiring masks, social distancing, capacity, and closing time restrictions. Governor Bullock will also be providing $25 million to the Montana Department of Labor & Industry to provide eligible Montanans who are unemployed or partially unemployed due to COVID-19 disruptions with a supplemental payment of $200 a week for four weeks beginning on the week ending November 28 and ending December 19. To receive this support, eligible recipients do not need to apply separately. Individuals will receive the benefit if they keep filing their regular payment requests in montanaworks.gov or mtpua. mt.gov. The full directive can be read here: https://covid19.mt.gov/Portals/223/Docum e n t s / 2 0 2 0 - 11 - 1 7 _ D i r e c t i v e % 2 0 o n % 2 0 Group%20Size%20and%20Capacity%20-%20FINAL.pdf?ver=2020-11-17-150044-130
nized outdoor activities are not required to ensure the following individuals wear face coverings; “children under the age of five. All children between the ages of two and four, however, are strongly encouraged to wear a face covering in accordance with the provisions; “persons consuming food or drinks in an establishment that offers food or drinks for sale; “persons engaged in an activity that makes wearing a face covering impractical or unsafe, such as strenuous physical exercise or swimming; “persons seeking to communicate with someone who is hearing impaired; “persons giving a speech or engaging in an artistic, cultural, musical, or theatrical performance for an audience, provided the audience is separated by at least six feet of distance; “persons temporarily removing their face covering for identification purposes; “persons required to remove face coverings for the purpose of receiving medical evaluation, diagnosis, or treatment; “And persons who have a medical condition precluding the safe wearing of a face covering.” When it was approved by Gov. Steve Bullock in July, it was supposed to target counties with four or more active cases. As of Monday’s county health announcement, the county has exceeded that guideline more than 12 times over.
Montana, South Dakota and Wyoming are experiencing the largest spikes in new COVID-19 cases and are also among states considered least prepared, according to a study of Kaiser Family Foundation hospital capacity information. The study also showed that Wyoming, Montana and Hawaii are considered to have the least prepared hospitals. In addition, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wyoming have some of the largest COVID-19 cases per 1,000 people and are states with unprepared hospitals. The study was released recently by an online insurance company called QuoteWizard. QuoteWizard’s analysis of Kaiser Family Foundation hospital capacity data found a correlation between states that are seeing increased hospitalization due to COVID-19 and those that already rated poorly for hospital capacity before the pandemic, the company announced in the release. “Montana’s COVID-19 cases reached above 40,000, a record number as we enter the much anticipated second wave. The national surge in hospitalizations causes a major concern in ICU hospital bed and physician capacity. “Our team of healthcare analysts at QuoteWizard found that Montana has an average of .23 ICU hospital beds and 2.18 certified physicians per 1,000 residents, making it the second least prepared hospital capacity in the nation,” according to the study by analyst Adam Johnson. As of Nov. 13, the study found that Montana was using 77 percent of its intensive care units, while neighboring North Dakota had the highest number of ICUs being used at 89 percent. South Dakota had 82 percent of the ICUs being used, while Wyoming was down at 45 percent.
Motor Vehicle transactions temporarily suspended Starting Friday, November 20 at 8 a.m., Fallon County Treasurer’s office will be unable to complete any motor vehicle transactions (i.e. Registration renewals, web renewals, title transactions, Driver’s license renewals, etc.) due to a major system upgrade by the Montana Motor Vehicle Division. Services will gradually return on Monday, November 23 with full services expected to resume by Monday, November 30.
Private Drake, left, and Staff Sergeant Thomson, right, are currently helping staff at Dahl Memorial Healthcare.
National Guard troops sent to Dahl Memorial Courtesy of Eric Lovec, The Ekalaka Eagle
Two members of the Montana Army National Guard are currently working alongside staff at Dahl Memorial Healthcare. Private Drake and Staff Sergeant Thomson arrived in Ekalaka earlier this week. Thomson said that they are currently scheduled to assist at the hospital until Nov. 23, although it could end up being longer. With coronavirus numbers high in the community, numbers are also high for staff and residents at Dahl. With several staff members missing work due to the virus, Dahl administrator Ryan Tooke put in a call to Montana Disaster & Emergency Services. Private Drake and Staff
Sergeant Thomson were sent to work alongside staff everyday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thomson said that their tasks at the facility range from answering phones to cleaning, disinfecting and any basic housekeeping duties. Thomson also said that they are working with staff to restock personal protective equipment and other supplies the hospital needs. Drake and Thomson are based out of Fort Harrison, three miles west of Helena. Thomson said that they have a warehouse there that houses supplies for hospitals. During the pandemic, the Montana National Guard has also set up sites around the state where they have administered coronavirus tests and sent the results off to the state lab.
Thomson has previously spent time working on reservations to supply food to elderly and needy people that are quarantined and aren’t able to get food for themselves - a mission he says is ongoing in conjunction with local disaster and emergency services divisions. “We’re just doing what the National Guard was intended to do,” Thomson said. “Helping fellow state citizens and responding to a major problem.” Thomson says he had never heard of Ekalaka prior to this mission, but believes that local residents are doing everything they can to contain the virus. “It seems everybody here is doing their part the best they can,” he said.