County Provides Info On Local COVID-19 Resources
With Thanksgiving concluding, we now begin the full holiday season while remaining in the midst of a pandemic. Holiday gatherings and traditions will look very different this year as the country’s situation continues to change. To encourage and increase COVID-19 testing, the Roosevelt County COVID-19 Task Force is providing the following information about types of testing, key testing points to understand and local testing resources. Testing for COVID-19 is readily available in Roosevelt County and all are encouraged to get tested if they have symptoms or have been exposed to somebody with COVID-19. Testing is safe and very important for keeping Roosevelt County communities protected.
Different Types of COVID-19 Testing: Antigen Tests This test is to detect a current COVID-19 infection and is most accurate for people with current symptoms. This is the fastest test (results in minutes) to know if you are currently infected with COVID-19.
Molecular (PCR) Tests
This test is to detect a current COVID-19 infection and is more accurate than an antigen rapid test. This takes a bit longer for results than an antigen test (results can take days), as it is more complex.
Antibody Tests
This is a blood test and it detects a previous infection of COVID-19. This test does not tell you that you are immune to COVID-19.
Key take away points about COVID-19 Testing:
•It is very important that people get tested as soon as possible once symptoms appear because the longer they wait, the more people they can infect without knowing their own status. This helps public health officials stay on top of contact tracing and not delay case investigation.
•If a person has symptoms and gets a negative antigen (rapid) test result, they will most likely be asked to also have a PCR test to confirm that their symptoms are not COVID-19.
•A positive antibody test does not mean a person can stop taking precautions against COVID-19. This test means there was a past coronavirus infection as recently as in the previous few weeks. As COVID-19 immunity is not yet fully understood, a positive antibody test does not mean you are protected from another COVID-19 infection. If somebody has a positive antibody test, they can continue with normal activities, including work, but still need to take steps to protect themselves and others.
•If someone is in close contact with somebody who has COVID-19 and then receives positive antibody test results, they should still follow CDC recommendations for quarantine as appropriate. People who receive positive results on an antibody test and who are currently or recently sick or have been around someone with COVID-19 should follow CDC recommendations on when to isolate or quarantine.
•A positive antibody test can indicate a past COVID-19 infection, but this does not mean a person is immune or can not be reinfected with or spread COVID-19. Antibodies last for roughly 90 days according to the CDC, and following this period a person can be reinfected with COVID-19. During these 90 days, a person with positive antibodies should watch for any developing symptoms and continue good practices such as hand washing and social distancing to help with community transmission. The exact duration of this period is still under investigation and it is important to know that this duration could be shorter than 90 days and individuals should take standard precautions.
Local Testing Resources/Centers Two mass testing days, in conjunction with Montana Disaster and Emergency Services and the National Guard, will occur on Friday, Dec. 11, and Saturday, Dec. 12, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Silverwolf Casino in Wolf Point and the Poplar Tribal Transit Center. These testing events are open to anyone interested in getting tested and there will be additional resources available for those who test positive.
Poplar Community Hospital (Poplar): PCR testing available with doctor’s order, sample sent out for results. No antigen testing currently. Antibody test collection with doctor’s order, sample sent out for results.
Trinity Hospital (Wolf Point): PCR testing available COVID
with doctor’s order, sample sent out for results. No antigen testing currently. Antibody test collection with doctor’s order, sample sent out for results.
Riverside Clinic and Listerud Rural Health Clinic: Testing available upon appointment for established patients experiencing symptoms.
Roosevelt Medical Center
(Culbertson): No antibody or antigen testing currently. PCR test collection for anyone that would like to be tested by appointment Monday through Friday at 1:45 p.m.
Chief Redstone Health Center (IHS Wolf Point): PCR available to everyone through drive through Monday through Friday at 1-2 p.m. and scheduled appointments. No antibody testing available.
Verne E. Gibbs Health Center (IHS Poplar): PCR available to everyone through drive through Monday
through Friday at 1-2 p.m. and scheduled appointments, No antibody testing available.
Roosevelt County Health Department: The health department itself does not provide testing at this time, but the health department can help coordinate testing for close contacts.
If you have questions about COVID-19, email covid19taskforce@ rooseveltcounty.org. For more information, visit the RCHD Facebook page or covid19.mt.gov.
