Out-of-state person tests positive for COVID-19 in Lake County

An out-of-state individual tested positive for COVID-19 in Lake County this week, according to a press release from the Lake County-CSKT COVID-19 Incident Command System.

The individual was not been in Lake County for very long, was in the area for work-related purposes and, according to the press release, had limited interactions with the community. A Lake County Public Health nurse has interviewed the individual and is following up with those who had close contact.

A description of the individual was not provided for privacy purposes, but he or she is in isolation and will be returning to their home in a different state on Friday and will not be using public transportation on their return.

“Health officials have concluded this case should not raise undue alarm in the community,” the press release stated.

This will not be considered a Lake County case and will therefore not be factored into the area’s overall case count. The individual will be counted in their home jurisdiction instead.

Currently, anyone returning to Lake County from out-of-state travel is required to follow the 14-day quarantine guidelines. People traveling through should also quarantine to the best of their ability during their time in the county.

As of Tuesday, 558 Lake County residents had been tested for COVID-19, according to Lake County Public Health. Of those, 543 were negative and 10 were pending.

Both St. Luke Community Healthcare and St. Joseph Medical Center provide COVID-19 testing, according to the health department. Tribal Health Clinics in Polson and St. Ignatius also provide testing for Tribal Health Recipients.

“Regardless of where you opt to be tested, you must call ahead to be screened and receive further guidance on testing protocol,” county health officials state.

Lake County Public Health Department does not conduct COVID-19 testing.

Antibody testing is not available in our area at this time, the department noted.