Lewis and Clark public health officials in Helena sent a clear message to the community on Wednesday: Avoid large gatherings.
“We are social beings; we want to be together, “said Health Officer Drenda Niemann.” It’s summer in Montana; we want to do the things we’ve always done, but this is not the time. “
As the number of COVID-19 cases in Montana continues to rise, Public Health held a press conference, urging people to limit large group events. They were joined by representatives from St. Peter’s Health Hospital, the City of Helena, Lewis & Clark County and the business community.
Public health leaders say they are advising against any gathering of more than 50 people at this time, and that all events should be limited to an absolute maximum of 250 people. Anyone organizing an event with more than 50 people is supposed to work with Public Health on a plan to ensure social distancing.
Niemann said the agency has received more than 30 event plans that they are currently reviewing. She said she is concerned that many of those plans do not include enough measures to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. “The plans that have come up that look really good on paper may not be fully operable, putting people at risk,” she said. “Some event planners completely ignore public health advice.”
Leaders say big meetings are inherently risky right now, and that they can make it harder for people trying to track the spread of the disease.
Eric Merchant, manager of Lewis & Clark Public Health’s Division of Disease Control and Prevention, said that any infected person who attended a major event has a large pool of potential contacts. That makes it especially difficult for contact tracking teams to follow up after a case is reported. “Please do not actively participate in limiting our ability to contain disease,” said Merchant.
Public Health also announced Wednesday that they have linked several recent cases in the Augusta area with a recent wedding close by. Merchant said they are concerned that the cluster may continue to grow in the coming days. “We really sincerely hope that we don’t see a big outbreak associated with this event,” he said. “That is what we are talking about today: the general idea that meetings provide that opportunity for a ‘super spreader’ type environment.”
Pivot Physical Therapy at Choteau posted the following message on Facebook on Tuesday:
- My family has had a difficult day … ☹ We went to a wedding venue outside 10 days ago. Yesterday morning we discovered that someone at the wedding tested positive for COVID. So we did what was responsible and the whole family was tested immediately. We notified anyone with whom we had been in close contact. Our test results came back this afternoon around 4:30 pm, which showed I got negative, Bill tested positive, Brody tested positive, Blake tested positive. The symptoms are mild to us, including headache, dry cough, and neck pain. None of us had a fever, runny nose, or diarrhea.
- My point is that we all knew that at some point I would make it to Teton County. What we should all do is try to avoid giving it to the elderly and immunocompromised. If you have any of these mild symptoms, be sure to get tested for Covid. Our doctor explained that 92% of cases are very asymptomatic or mild. Don’t be embarrassed, it’s always best to get tested and come back negative or positive, and it’s our responsibility to try to keep as many cases as possible. people as safe as possible.
- Most likely, my business will be closed for the next two weeks, unless I can get a physical therapist to support me to see patients. I hope everyone understands the current situation.
Public health leaders urged people to wear cloth masks when they are in public, and to continue physical distancing. They said they don’t want to implement additional mandates, but they need the public to take this guide seriously.
“We can do our part, and it is very easy to do, because what we have to do is wear our mask for each other,” said Helena Mayor Wilmot Collins.
“We believe in this community,” said Niemann. “We believe that people in this community will do the right thing, and the right thing to do is follow the instructions we’ve given so far.”
You can find updated information on COVID-19 on the agency’s website.
Health officials reported 50 new cases of COVID-19 in Montana on Wednesday morning, according to the Montana Response COVID-19 Tracking Map.
TOTAL CASES AND RECOVERIES: There have now been 1,016 cumulative cases across the state, and 658 people have recovered from the virus.
HOSPITALIZATIONS There have been 105 hospitalizations for COVID-19 since the pandemic began; There are currently 14 hospitalized patients.
ACTIVE CASES: The state reports that there are currently 336 active COVID-19 cases in Montana, up from 288 on Monday, when the state reported the largest increase in new cases in a single day with 56.
TESTS: The number of tests increased by 2,469 during the previous 24-hour reporting period, for a new state cumulative total of 93,330.
DEAD: The cumulative number of deaths in Montana is 22. There have been six deaths in Toole County, four in Yellowstone County, two in Cascade County, two in Flathead County, and two in Big Horn County. The other deaths have been reported in Gallatin, Lincoln, Madison and Missoula counties.
CASCADA COUNTY: According to state data, Cascade County currently has 14 active cases and a cumulative total of 33. Of those 33 cases, 17 patients recovered and two died.
