Governor’s Mask Mandate Remains “Activated” For Roosevelt, Valley Counties

It’s been nearly two weeks now with Roosevelt County reporting four or more active COVID-19 cases. As of press time, Roosevelt County had five current active cases.

Per the governor’s July 15 directive, since Roosevelt County has four or more active COVID-19 cases, face masking in any indoor space, open to the public, is mandatory for people ages five years and older. For children 2-4 years of age, face coverings are strongly encouraged. A drape may be used for babies.

“Roosevelt County Health Department strongly encourages all Roosevelt County residents and businesses to take steps necessary to protect themselves and their communities to help stop the spread of Coronavirus,” said the health department via a news release Tuesday, Aug. 4.

“Roosevelt County Health Department encourages county residents to utilize their call in information line at 653-6124 or their Facebook page. Both are updated by 11 a.m. daily.”

Roosevelt County Health Department has returned to normal operations and are scheduling by appointment only. “The health department appreciates the residents’ patience the past week to allow them to return to normal operations,” said the press release. For questions or to set up an appointment, call 653-6223.

Valley County

At press time, Valley County had five active COVID-19 cases.

Statewide

According to Montana health officials, 724 COVID-19 cases in the state were reported between July 27 and August 4. This bumped the state’s total number of known cases to 4,314. Around the state, 1,244 people are known to be currently infected, up 240 from July 27. Two hundred thirty-eight are hospitalized. A total of 2,766 people are listed as recovered, up from 2,090 on Monday, July 27. By Tuesday, Aug. 4, 64 deaths had been reported statewide, up from 47 deaths July 27.

There have been 181,236 tests conducted statewide since the start of the pandemic, including 22,581 tests processed in the past week. The 4,314 known cases results in an overall 2 percent positive test result rate.

Mask Mandate

On Wednesday, July 15, Montana Governor Steve Bullock issued a mandate requiring masks in public spaces in counties with four or more active cases with some caveats. Masks are required: in public indoor spaces, such as businesses, government buildings or grocery stores; and at outdoor gatherings of 50 or more people, where social distancing is not possible or not observed.

Masks are not required for children under the age of five, while engaged in a performance for an audience, for the purposes of receiving medical examination or treatment, while consuming food or drink in an establishment selling food or drink, for those with a medical condition preventing safe mask wearing, while communicating with someone who is hearing impaired and for activities where it would be unsafe or impractical.

County sheriffs and other law enforcement across the state have said that the mask mandate is not enforceable and violations should not be called into 911.

Testing

Governor Steve Bullock said July 29 that the state is continuing to boost testing capacity and return testing results to individuals on a timely matter. “I understand there have been frustrations among those who’ve participated in community drivethrough events and have not received their results back for what’s now over even two weeks. I’m frustrated as well,” Gov. Bullock said.

Roosevelt County Fair

The 2020 Roosevelt County Fair will only be open to 4-H, FFA and Scouts entries. Ugly Fabric Contest participants can hold onto their 2020 submissions and enter them in 2021, along with the 2021 contest. Open class exhibitors may enter projects for 2021 that were made from August 2019 through July 2021.

The schedule of events includes the horse show Tuesday, Aug. 11; small animal show is Aug. 12; 4-H/FFA/Scouts projects, goat and sheep show Aug. 13; swine show, round robin showmanship, livestock auction Aug. 14; ranch rodeo calcutta, dancing and music at Culbertson Saddle Club Aug. 15.

Fort Peck Tribes The Fort Peck Tribes have reverted to Phase 2 and the reservation-wide curfew has reverted to a start time of 12:30 a.m. According to a July 31 announcement, the Tribes are planning on instituting a mandatory mask order later this week. According to TEB member Kaci Wallette, masks will be delivered to the following locations (one mask per person per household): Tribal Express II in Frazer, Horseshoe Bar in Oswego, HPDP in Wolf Point, Tribal building in Poplar and Fred’s Bar & Grill in Brockton.