County Releases Updated Active Case Numbers

COVID-19 testing continues to be available from your healthcare provider, as well as at both IHS locations. If you have questions about COVID-19, please use the newly established Joint Information email: covid19taskforce@rooseveltcounty.org. For more information, visit the RCHD Facebook page or covid19.mt.gov or the CDC’s Coping with Stress page.

As of Sunday, Oct. 25, Roosevelt County had 113 current active cases of COVID-19. A total of cases with 19 deaths have been reported.

As of Tuesday, Oct. 27, there were 129 active cases of COVID-19 in Indian Health Service-eligible persons living on the Fort Peck Reservation. This included 53 in Poplar, 54 in Wolf Point, nine in Frazer, nine in Brockton, and two each in Riverside and Fort Kipp. Twenty-three tribally enrolled members have died from COVID-19-related causes.

According to the McCone County Health Department on Tuesday, Oct. 27, that county is up to nine active cases. McCone has 52 recovered cases, no total deaths and 61 total cases in county, As of Monday, Oct. 26, Valley County’s active count was 66, with 277 cases listed as recovered. Valley County reported four deaths due to COVID-19 and/or complications.

Daniels County had 16 active cases as of Tuesday, Oct. 27. The county has 15 recovered cases and 32 cumulative cases. There are three cases currently hospitalized.

As of Monday, Oct. 26, the Phillips County Health Department was reporting 20 active cases. One hundred sixty-three cases are listed as recovered. The Hi Line Retirement Center has five active cases among residents and six active cases among staff.

For Richland County, there are 63 active cases and 305 recovered cases as of Tuesday, Oct. 27. Total deaths are five. There have been 373 total cases in the county. More than 200 contacts are being monitored.

Statewide

According to Montana health officials, a total of 481,322 tests have been conducted statewide since the start of the pandemic.

The state’s total number of known cases now stands at 29,346 since the start of the pandemic.

Around the state, there are 10,060 active cases. There’s been a total of 1,245 hospitalizations with 350 active hospitalizations.

By Tuesday, Oct. 27, 305 deaths have been reported statewide. A total of 18,981 people are listed as recovered.

The governor’s July 15 directive for counties with four or more ac- tive 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. See ad on page four for more information.

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

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 were required to return Oct. 19.

Brockton School had students return to classes on Monday, Oct. 19.

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.

According to tribal executive board member Jestin Dupree, the Wolf Point senior feeding site will be closed through Friday, Oct. 30. There will be no curbside or home delivery. Organizers hope to return to regular services by Nov. 2.

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.