County Sees 113 Active COVID-19 Cases
With the number of active local cases declining slightly over the past week, the region remains on alert, with the Fort Peck Tribes shuttering operations and some schools transitioning to distance learning.
As of Monday, Oct. 5, Roosevelt County has 113 current active cases of COVID-19, down from 131 last week. Recoveries numbered 372 and there has been eight confirmed deaths. There have been 493 total cases in the county. The case count changes daily and all are encourage to visit the Roosevelt County Health Department’s Facebook page or call 653-6124 for confirmation of the official daily count to ensure compliance with the governor’s mask mandate. Both are updated by 11 a.m. daily.
According to the McCone County Health Department on Tuesday, Oct. 6, that county is down to two active cases, but those cases dropped off that night. The county health department noted that there are many pending tests out with some very symptomatic patients who are quarantining at home.
As of Monday, Oct. 5, Valley County’s active count was 27, with 103 cases listed as recovered and 130 cases overall. Valley County reported their first COVID-19-related death Tuesday, Oct. 6.
Daniels County had five active cases as of Tuesday, Oct. 6. The county has had 10 total positive cases.
As of Monday, Oct. 5, the Phillips County Health Department was reporting five active cases, with active hospitalizations. One hundred nineteen cases are listed as recovered. A total of six cases have been listed as involving hospitalizations.
For Richland County, there are 95 active cases and 104 recovered cases as of Tuesday, Oct. 6. Total deaths are two. There have been 201 total cases in the county, which is up from 109 the previous Tuesday.
Statewide
According to Montana health officials, 32,794 tests were completed statewide between Sept. 28 and Oct. 6. A total of 372,720 tests have been conducted statewide since the start of the pandemic.
The state’s total number of known cases now stands at 15,347 since the start of the pandemic.
Around the state, there are 4.983 active cases which is an increase from 3,454 active cases on Sept. 29. There’s been a total of 773 hospitalizations with 216 active hospitalizations.
By Tuesday, Oct. 6, 192 deaths had been reported statewide, up by 15 since Sept. 29. A total of 10,172 people are listed as recovered.
Roosevelt Medical Center
Culbertson’s Roosevelt Medical Center has seen an uptick in local exposure to COVID-19. Public information officer Jaimee Green released the following statement at press time, Oct. 6: “Roosevelt Medical Center has staff and residents who have tested positive for COVID-19. In our efforts to respond to this situation, we have contacted the state for additional staffing resources to serve as support staff and are working with local and state health departments to ensure the safety of our patients and staff. We continue to diligently follow all state and federal guidance in our response efforts. Our staff, patients and their families continue to receive updates from our medical response team. We ask the community to respect the privacy of our patients while knowing their care is our most paramount concern during these challenging times.”
Area Schools
The Frontier Elementary School will continue distance learning through Oct. 13.
The Frazer School returned to in-class instruction Oct. 5. An Oct. 5 letter from school administration states that the opt-out deadline has passed and all students are required to attend in person. Opt-out students will be required to return Oct. 19.
The Wolf Point School District remains in plan B with two groups of students attending school on alternating days to limit student numbers at the school.
At press time, Poplar School District is still on a full distance learning schedule.
Brockton School will be adhering to online learning ONLY schedules through Friday, Oct. 16.
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.
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.
