COVID-19 numbers continue to climb

State health officials reported 30 new active cases of COVID-19 for Lake County on Tuesday, one of the county’s highest single-day spikes in several weeks. One new case involves a child younger than age 10, and two others are in the 10-19 age group.

Statewide, Montana has reported about 450 to 720 new cases each day for the last week or so, matching levels of new cases not seen since the first months of 2021.

Meanwhile, a new school year has begun in some districts and is set to begin in others next week. Most of the county’s school districts have opted to open the year with a masks-optional policy and limited remote learning options.

Last week the state health department announced an estimated 22,000 Montana residents with weakened immune systems are eligible to receive third doses of the Moderna or Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccines.

The announcement from the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services followed new guidance from the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which recommends third doses for immunocompromised people — including organ transplant recipients, those with AIDS, those undergoing cancer treatment and others who take medications that suppress their bodies' immune response.

"This is great news because we know the impact COVID-19 has with high-risk groups," DPHHS Director Adam Meier said in a statement. "The updated recommendations will ensure those most vulnerable to complications from COVID-19 can get as much protection as possible."

While the vaccines have proved to be more than 90% effective in protecting against most variants of the coronavirus, people with moderately to severely compromised immune systems don't always develop the same level of immunity.

Lake County Public Health announced Friday that staff is being bombarded with calls regarding the potential of a COVID-19 booster shot this fall. They ask that residents remain patient while a schedule for booster doses is established.

Department staff said those who received the Johnson & Johnson vaccine likely will need a booster dose as well, though experts are still collecting the necessary data to make that decision.

CSKT Tribal Health announced last week that Tribal Health patients who are immunocompromised can begin getting booster shots immediately. For more information, contact Tribal Health at 406-745-3525 ext. 5035.

Lake County Public Health is holding its last walk-in vaccination clinic, offering first or second doses of the Moderna vaccine, on Friday, Aug. 27. After that they will be offering Moderna doses by appointment only from 1 to 3:30 p.m. Wednesdays. Appointments may be scheduled online at tinyurl.com/7ta23r58.

Meanwhile, the department has established several upcoming shot clinics in various Lake County communities. Check the department’s Facebook page for more information.

The CDC recommends third shots for:

• People receiving treatment for cancerous tumors or blood cancers.
• Organ transplant recipients who take medicine to suppress the immune system.
• Those who have received stem cell transplants within the past two years or are taking related medicine to suppress the immune system.
• People with moderate or severe primary immunodeficiency disorders, such as DiGeorge syndrome or Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome.
• Those with advanced or untreated HIV infection.
• Those receiving treatment with high-dose corticosteroids or other drugs that may suppress the immune response.

Third doses are available through the same vaccine providers as before, including clinics, pharmacies and local health departments. DPHSS recently notified providers of the new guidance. Patients can self-attest and don't need to prove their diagnosis to be eligible for a third shot.

Health officials said additional doses should be administered at least four weeks after a person receives their second dose of either the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines. Kids 12 and older may receive the Pfizer vaccine; the Moderna vaccine is available to those 18 and older.

Dr. Maggie Cook-Shimanek, Montana's acting state medical officer at DPHHS, said people should talk to their doctors about their medical conditions to find out whether a third vaccine dose is appropriate.

"People with weakened immune systems are especially vulnerable to COVID-19 because they are at higher risk of serious, prolonged illness," Cook-Shimanek said. "An additional dose could help prevent serious and possibly life-threatening COVID-19 infection in immunocompromised people. The vaccines continue to be very effective at preventing severe illness, hospitalization and death from COVID-19 in individuals who are not immunocompromised."

While the vaccines offer protection, DPHHS said immunocompromised people should still wear masks, maintain 6 feet of social distance, and avoid crowds and poorly ventilated indoor spaces.

Daily Interlake reporter Chad Sokol contributed to this article.