Serving Proudly As The Voice Of Valley County Since 1913

COVID Deaths Climb To Eight Last Week

County Stresses Timely Testing

The number of deaths in Valley County caused by COVID-19 rose to eight last week as cases climbed to nearly 600 confirmed infected with the coronavirus. According to the Valley County Health Departmen.t there were 41 active cases in the area as of Dec. 7. Of the 599 total cases reported, 550 had recovered and eight had passed away as of Dec. 1.

Accompanying the Dec. 1 weekly report on countywide COVID cases, the Health Department added, “A man in his 50s and a man in his 70s have died from COVID-19 and its complications. These two men are lost from Valley County due to this highly infectious virus. Please honor these men by doing the only prevention measures we can do at this time – wearing a mask, social distancing, and staying home if you are sick. We extend our heartfelt sympathies to the families and loved ones of these two men.”

On Dec. 2 the county reported a large spike in COVID cases tallying an additional 22 confirmed infections in a single day, but the following four days reported a mere 13 positive cases total.

The Centers for Disease Control issued new guidance on Dec. 2 for quarantine procedures, allowing local health officials to make determinations on quarantine periods based on local circumstances and resources. The CDC continues to recommend a 14-day quarantine period, however, offered acceptable alternatives to regionals health officials.

The new guidelines allow that close contacts no longer need to isolate for a total of 14 days from the time of contact but can now leave isolation 10 days from that contact if no symptoms have been reported during daily monitoring. Those who test negative can end quarantine after seven days if no symptoms are reported during quarantine, but quarantines cannot end prior to day seven. In each circumstance, continued symptom monitoring and mask wearing must take place for the full 14 days.

“VCHD received the new CDC guidelines approval from DPHHS late Thursday, Dec. 3,” said the health department in their Dec. 7 report. “We are reviewing [and] will adopt those guidelines as soon as possible. Please keep in mind that timely testing is very important with the new guidelines.”

As cases continue to rise across the country as winter sets in, a nationwide plan to rollout a COVID-19 vaccination campaign is underway. On Dec. 7, Governor Steve Bullock issued a press release outlining his plan to distribute the vaccine to Montanans when it becomes available in mid-December.

Bullock said in the release, that the first round of Pfizer-made vaccines will go directly to health care workers at Montana’s major hospitals.

“For nearly nine months, Montana’s health care workers have worked tirelessly to care for the people of this state, putting their own health at risk,” said Governor Bullock. “By prioritizing the vaccination of those on the frontlines, we can help ensure our hospitals can continue serving patients while we continue to manage the spread of this virus in our communities.”

The Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS) is expected to receive as soon as Dec. 15 an estimated first dose allocation of 9,750 Pfizer COVID-19 vaccines. Second round doses will be provided to the state in a separate shipment prior to the second dose schedule, which is 21 days apart from the first. The federal government requires that the first dose of this particular vaccine be shipped and delivered directly to facilities with cold storage access.

Facilities tapped to receive the first round of vaccines include do not include any rural hospitals. Instead the entire allotment will go to facilities like the Billings Clinic, St Vincent’s in Billings and Benefis Health Systems in Great Falls among others.

The national Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices issued guidelines that the vaccine be distributed to medical providers and long-term care residents first before going out to the wider population. The state’s release said they will be following those guidelines to ensure an equitable distribution of the vaccine.

“The state is still acquiring details from the federal government on subsequent rounds of vaccines and will provide additional plans as they are finalized,” ended the statement.

 

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