County Reports 77 Active Cases, Presser Stresses Flu Vaccine

Area health officials are stressing that flu shots are more important this year than ever because the COVID-19 pandemic.

In order to keep the community safe, health officials offer advice and information on these two infections are related.

“First and foremost, everyone should get their flu vaccine and continue to maintain all COVID-19 precautions,” Patty Presser, director of the Roosevelt County Health Department, said in a press release. “These two actions are the best way to prevent yourself and your loved ones from getting either infection. COVID-19 precautions, such as hand washing, distancing and cleaning, can all help prevent the flu as well.”

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 653-6223.

The Roosevelt County COVID-19 Unified Command 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.

This meeting also was attended by a representative from John Hopkins University, which is assisting the tribes and county in addressing COVID-19 issues including data. Each entity recognizes the importance of accurate, reliable data and many organizations are coming together to accomplish this goal.

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: covid-19taskforce@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.

According to the McCone County Health Department on Tuesday, Nov. 10, that county has one active case. McCone has 70 recovered cases, no total deaths and 71 total cases in county, A total of nine contacts are being monitored.

As of Monday, Nov. 9, Valley County’s active count was 53, with 390 cases listed as recovered. Valley County reported five deaths due to COVID-19 and/or complications.

Daniels County had eight active cases as of Tuesday, Nov. 10. The county has 47 recovered cases and 58 cumulative cases. Three deaths have occurred due to COVID-19 and/or complications. There is one case currently hospitalized.

As of Monday, Nov. 9, the Phillips County Health Department was reporting 31 active cases. One hundred seventy- eight cases are listed as recovered. There is one active hospitalization. There have been four deaths.

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.

The governor’s July 15 directive for counties with four or more active cases requires 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.

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.

Area Schools

Local health officials approved the Wolf Point School District to reopen four days a week (Plan A) starting Monday, Nov. 2. Classes began on that day for Wolf Point High School, Wolf Point Junior High School and Northside Elementary Schools, but not at Southside Elementary due to virus cases. Classes are scheduled to start Wednesday, Nov. 11, at Southside.

The Frontier Elementary School returned to classes for grades K-2 on Tuesday, Oct. 20, and grades 3-4 returned to classes on Wednesday, Oct. 28. Grades 5-8 will continue distance learning.

The Frazer School returned to in-class instruction Oct. 5. Students are offered the optout option.

Brockton School had students return to classes on Monday, Oct. 19. There are a few students listed as opt-out.

Poplar High School students returned to classes on Monday, Nov. 2, with the option of staying remote. Students in middle school and elementary are still distance learning.

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. COVID-19 & Mental Health

The COVID-19 pandemic and ensuing response have brought many changes to our lives. Across the world, reports are coming in on how this pandemic affects mental health. These effects include increased stress, fear, anxiety and worry. The World Health Organization and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the State of Montana, among many others, have begun providing guidance and materials on how to cope with the mental health effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. From healthcare workers to caregivers to children to individuals in isolation, COVID-19 is affecting everyone, including residents of Roosevelt County. Unhealthy coping mechanisms, such as increased tobacco or alcohol use, can put yourself and those around you at increased risk.

Below are some helpful ways to cope with increased stress:

•Know what to do if you are sick or need treatment

•Take breaks from watching, reading or listening to the news

•Learn the facts about COVID-19 and help stop the spread of rumors

•Partake in your favorite (socially-distanced) physical activity

•Take time to unwind, do activities you enjoy or try something new like meditation •Connect with others in a socially-distant, safe way. Try some virtual connections!

•Get plenty of sleep

•Eat healthy meals

•Try Thrive, a the free emotional health program for adults in Montana: https:// thriveformontana.com/ If you or a loved one are experiencing a mental health crisis, seek immediate help: Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 800-273-8255, the Crisis Text Line can be reached by texting “MT” to 741-741, Eastern Montana Mental Health Center Toll Free Crisis Phone Line: 800-597-6608, or call 911.If you or a loved one are experiencing a substance use issue, reach out to the following for help: SAMHSA’s National Helpline: 800-662-HELP (4357) and TTY 800-487-4889, Eastern Montana Community Mental Health Center 653-1872.

For more information, visit the RCHD Facebook page or covid19.mt.gov or the CDC’s Coping with Stress page, https://www.cdc.gov/ coronavirus/2019-ncov/ daily-life-coping /managing- stress-anxiety.html.

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.

Vaccine

On Nov. 9, Pfizer announced its COVID-19 vaccine is 90 percent effective in preventing infection. It was announced in July that the Trump administration entered into an agreement with Pfizer to own 100 million doses of the vaccine after it’s manufactured and receives approval or emergency use authorization from the FDA. This $1.95 billion agreement will help with production and nationwide delivery of the vaccine.