GREAT FALLS — As of Saturday morning (April 11), there have been 13 confirmed COVID-19 cases in Cascade County, and no deaths. According to the City-County Health Department in Great Falls, eight of those patients have now recovered. KRTV confirmed that at least one of the 13 patients did require hospitalization. The CCHD announced the 13th case on Friday, April 10, saying it is a woman in her 70s, and that her case is "associated with out-of-state travel."
The 13 cases in Cascade County are: 2 women between the ages of 20-29; 2 men between 30-39; 1 man between 40-49; 3 women and 2 men between 50-59; 1 man between 60-69; 1 woman between 70-79; and 1 man between 80-89.
The CCHD continues working with the patients to determine who they may have been in direct contact with, and communicating with anyone who may have been exposed. The CCHD says that due to federal privacy laws (HIPAA), they can not release any other information about the patients, including where they live or work. The CCHD has not released information about any specific cases linked to any businesses in the community. RELATED: CCHD explains why cases are not classified by city
The CCHD explained in a Facebook post how they work to prevent community spread of COVID-19:
- Every time we get a new positive case, CCHD’s infectious disease team quickly conducts an investigation and reaches out to each person who is identified as a “close contact.” A close contact is someone who has been within six feet of a known case for a period of 15 minutes or more. Those contacts are put into a 14-day quarantine, educated about COVID-19, monitored daily for symptoms, and told to contact the Health Department to coordinate testing if they become symptomatic. Please be aware that if you are a close contact of a known case, we will contact you as quickly as possible so that we can prevent the spread of this virus.
The CCHD (website) says if you or a loved one are experiencing symptoms, or are worried that you might have COVID-19, contact one of the following; they stress that you should CALL before showing up at any of them: Alluvion - 406-454-6973; Benefis - 406-455-2500; Great Falls Clinic - 406-454-7275; CCHD - 406-454-6950
These are the symptoms to look for in the common cold, the flu and COVID-19:
- COMMON COLD: sneezing, cough, stuffy nose, sore throat
- FLU: fever, aches, chills, fatigue, sneezing, cough, headache
- COVID-19: fever, cough, shortness of breath
There are overlapping symptoms, but the most significant difference is the respiratory aspect of shortness of breath.
MONTANA: As of Saturday, April 11, at 8:30 a.m., there have been a total of 377 confirmed cases of COVID-19 (coronavirus) in Montana. There have been six deaths to date (source/map). There have been three deaths in Toole County, and one each in Lincoln County, Madison County, and Missoula County.
There have now been 46 hospitalizations of COVID-19 patients in Montana; 21 of those are considered "active hospitalizations. There has been a total 169 recovered patients. The DPHHS public health lab in Helena has completed 8,581 tests for COVID-19, including 284 tests since yesterday's update.
CLOSURES & RESTRICTIONS: Governor Steve Bullock said on Tuesday that he is ordering the extension of the "stay at home" order designed to curb the spread of COVID-19 (coronavirus) in Montana. The original order was issued on March 26 and runs through Friday, April 10. The extension will now last through Friday, April 24.
Bullock also said on Tuesday that public K-12 schools across the state will remain closed through April 24. Other directives previously issued by the governor have also been extended through April 24, including the closure of bars, casinos, and other non-essential businesses; the closure of dine-in service for restaurants; the temporary suspension of evictions and foreclosures; and prohibiting for now shutting off of utilities for nonpayment. RELATED: What businesses are considered "essential?
Bullock also recommended that Montanans wear cloth face masks when they're out in public, such as in grocery stores and pharmacies. He also extended the order requiring incoming travelers to Montana to enter into a 14-day self-quarantine.
US/WORLD UPDATE:
According to Johns Hopkins University, the worldwide numbers as of Saturday morning are: 1,715,143 confirmed COVID-19 cases; 103,874 deaths; and 389,374 patients have recovered.
The U.S. numbers are: 501,680 confirmed cases; 18,780 deaths; and 29,191 patients have recovered. RELATED: Determining how many people have recovered
CONTINUING COVERAGE:
- Shelby hospital says preparation is key in addressing COVID-19
- Model predicts fewer deaths in MT than original estimate
- Why it's hard to know exactly how many people have recovered
- Toole County: 16 cases of COVID-19, 3 deaths
- National Guard troops activated for COVID-19 response in Montana
- Unemployment claims skyrocket in Montana due to COVID-19
- Joint Information Center ready to answer COVID-19 questions
- "Stay at home" order aimed at slowing the spread of COVID-19
- What businesses are considered "essential" in Montana?
- Lincoln County man identified as first COVID-19 death in Montana
- Why COVID-19 is causing more concern than the flu