County announces 28th virus-related death
Lake County reported its first COVID-19 death in more than two months last week, bringing the county’s officials total deaths to 28. The latest fatality was a man in his 70s.
The announcement came March 17. The most recent death notice prior to that was in mid-January.
Ten county deaths in November were attributed to the virus, followed by seven in December, four in January and none in February.
Monday morning Lake County Public Health reported 31 active cases, with 2,096 confirmed cases since the pandemic began more than a year ago. There was one virus-related hospitalization in the county Monday.
The department also announced a one-day vaccination clinic, in conjunction with CSKT Tribal Health, will be held from 1 to 6 p.m. Thursday, March 25 at KwaTaqNuk Resort in Polson.
The clinic is open to individuals in Phase 1B/1B+ (those 60 years of age and older, American Indians and other people of color who may be at elevated risk for COVID-19 complications and persons aged 16-69 with high-risk medical conditions).
Visit the Lake County Public Health - Montana Facebook page or tinyurl.com/4x5m9mba to register.
Last week Gov. Greg Gianforte announced all Montana residents ages 16 and older will be eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine on April 1.
“A few months ago, projections estimated Montanans 16 and older would be eligible for the vaccine as late as mid-July,” Gianfote said at a press conference March 16 in Helena. “Today, I’m pleased to announce that we’re moving up that timeline.”
Gianforte encouraged Montanans to get a vaccine and said he’ll be “getting the vaccine when my name is called, and I encourage all Montanans to consider doing the same. Getting one of these safe, effective vaccines will protect you, your loved ones, and your neighbors from this virus. It will help us get back to a more normal life,” Gianforte said.
Also last week, CSKT’s Tribal Health Department announced it will provide vaccinations to educators who come into contact with students on the Flathead Indian Reservation, including teachers, para educators, drivers, administration and cafeteria workers.
To schedule an appointment call 745-3525, ext. 5035. More information can be found on the Tribal Health web site at www.cskthealth.org.
The state’s weekly report, updated Monday, shows 406,329 Montanans have received at least one vaccination shot, with 158,085 reaching full immunization.
Meanwhile, the state health department announced last week that 19 cases of COVID-19 variants have been confirmed in 11 counties.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention notified the state of 11 tests that identified variants matching two California variants and another that originated in New York, along with three more cases of the U.K. variant already identified in Gallatin County.
The California or New York variants involve specimens that were submitted for testing from January to early March in Beaverhead, Cascade, Glacier, Hill, Jefferson, Madison, Phillips, Roosevelt, Silver Bow, and Valley counties. When these samples were initially submitted for testing, the California and New York versions had not yet been classified by CDC.
Gallatin County has 11 known cases of the UK variant, including three that were confirmed last week.