County Reports 77 Active Cases, Presser Stresses Flu Shots
Area health officials are stressing that flu shots are more important this year than ever because the COVID-19 pandemic.
COVID-19 and the flu are each highly contagious respiratory infections, but have some key differences. They are caused by different viruses. COVID-19 is more infectious, and there is a vaccine to prevent the flu. There are some symptom similarities between the two, which may make it difficult to determine which illness you have if you are experiencing symptoms such as fever, fatigue, cough, difficulty breathing, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, vomiting and diarrhea. Flu can be a more mild illness than COVID-19, and COVID-19 symptoms also can include loss of taste or smell. It may be necessary to receive testing to determine which illness you are experiencing.
To get a flu shot, make an appointment with the Roosevelt County Health Department or make an appointment with your primary care provider.
Flu shots are available at the following locations: Roosevelt County Health Department, Chief Redstone IHS Clinic in Wolf Point, Verne E. Gibbs IHS Clinic in Poplar, Listerud’s Rural Health Clinic in Wolf Point, Riverside Clinic in Poplar and Roosevelt Medical Clinic in Culbertson.
Vaccines are covered by health insurance, Medicaid and Medicare. If you don’t have health insurance, call the health department for assistance at 406-653-6223.
The Roosevelt County COVID-19 Unified Command (Task Force) held its bi-weekly meeting with more than 15 entities on Wednesday, Oct. 28. The group works to address COVID-19 challenges across Roosevelt County including the Fort Peck Reservation.
Officials say that resources continue to pour in from across the country to assist Northeast Montana in COVID-19 response. Several community leaders at the meeting noted that county residents are doing a diligent job in helping slow the spread of the virus by continuing to wear masks, maintain social distancing and sharing information and resources. This is evidenced in an overall decrease in daily cases as well as a decrease in emergency room admittance and hospitalizations. Although progress is being seen to slow the spread, community members need to continue their efforts as we move into flu season.
The essence of collaboration spreads beyond Roosevelt County to hospitals across the state who are accepting Roosevelt County residents for COVID-19 and non COVID-19 reasons. COVID-19 testing continues to be available from your health care provider, as well as both IHS locations. If you have questions about COVID-19, use the newly established joint information email: covid19taskforce@rooseveltcounty. org. For more information, visit the RCHD Facebook or covid19. mt.gov.
As of Monday, Nov. 9, Roosevelt County had 77 current active cases of COVID-19. A total of 32 deaths have been reported. There were nine new cases listed for Monday, Nov. 9.
As of Monday, Nov. 9, there were 46 active cases of COVID-19 in Indian Health Service-eligible persons living on the Fort Peck Reservation. Those included three in Frazer, one in Oswego, 26 in Wolf Point, 15 in Poplar and one in Fort Kipp. Twenty- six tribally enrolled members have died from COVID-19-related causes.
For Richland County, there are 82 active cases and 387 recovered cases as of Monday, Nov. 9. Total deaths are six. There have been 475 total cases in the county. More than 200 contacts are being monitored.
Statewide
According to Montana health officials, a total of 540,913 tests have been conducted statewide since the start of the pandemic.
The state’s total number of known cases now stands at 40,053 since the start of the pandemic.
Around the state, there are 15,771 active cases. There’s been a total of 1,492 hospitalizations with 470 active hospitalizations.
By Tuesday, Nov. 10, 457 deaths have been reported statewide. A total of 23,825 people are listed as recovered.
Fort Peck Tribes
The Fort Peck Tribes moved to Phase 1 Tuesday, Sept. 29. Phase 1 puts non-essential employees and residents on the reservation under stay at home orders and limits gatherings to 10 people or fewer. All households are being asked to maintain 6 feet distance, wear masks and sanitize.
Testing
COVID-19 testing continues to be available from your healthcare provider, as well as at both IHS locations.
Roosevelt County Unified Command Residents on quarantine needing assistance with supplies can call 525-5020 and leave a message detailing assistance requested. Also, people can report others who are not quarantining by calling that number.
If you have questions about COVID-19, use the newly established Joint Information email: covid19taskforce@rooseveltcounty. org.
