County sees surge in virus activity

New cases of the COVID-19 virus have been steadily rising across Montana, and Lake County is no exception, though on a much smaller scale.

The state reported 632 new cases Tuesday, including 11 in Lake County. By comparison, daily reports in late June and early July consistently showed fewer than 100 new state cases each day for several weeks.

Current COVID-19 hospitalizations in Montana are over 200, the highest since January, according to Lake County Public Health, which reported 19 new cases Tuesday (lags in the reporting process cause the state and county numbers to rarely line up on a daily basis).

The county reported a total of 85 active cases Tuesday. That number was below 10 as recently as July 10, when the county had zero related hospitalizations. Seven people were hospitalized with COVID-19 in Lake County on Tuesday, and two of the seven patients are fully vaccinated. Of the county’s 85 active cases Tuesday, 25 were among people who are fully vaccinated.

While vaccination doesn’t prevent people from being affected by the virus, it does mitigate the most critical effects in most cases.

The county also reported two COVID-related deaths in the last week, a male in his 80s on Aug. 17 and a male in his 90s on Aug. 11. The most recent death prior to that was a male in his 70s announced July 8. The two recent deaths bring the county’s total to 40.

So far just eight cases involving “variants of concern” the virus have been identified, and just one of those is the delta variant, among the most dangerous. By comparison, Flathead County has identified 118 cases of variants and 22 cases of the delta variant.

“We continue to see a rise in the delta variant across the country and across Montana,” Chelsea Kleinmeyer, Community Health Division director at CSKT Tribal Health, said last week. “Some areas of the country are seeing a rise in the number of children hospitalized with COVID-19. It is more important than ever to get vaccinated, if eligible, to protect the most vulnerable around us, including our younger children who are not yet eligible for vaccination. Vaccination is one way to prevent new and more aggressive variants.”

The most recent state report on COVID-19 capacity at hospitals, released Aug. 9, shows both St. Luke Community Healthcare in Ronan and Providence St. Joseph Medical Center in Polson at about 50%, with 13 beds available in Ronan and seven in Polson.

Both hospitals are offering COVID-19 testing. Lake County Public Health is not, however, so those interested in tests should contact the hospitals.

Lake County Public Health is offering walk-in vaccinations for those age 18 and older from 1 to 3 p.m. Fridays at 802 Main St. They are offering the Moderna vaccine, so two doses are necessary for full vaccination.

For more information about COVID-19 in Montana, visit covid19.mt.gov.