CHINOOK, Mont. (NMB) – Blaine County has seen an alarming increase in COVID-19 in just the past month, and Health Officer Jana McPherson-Hauer is urging the public to take the virus seriously.
As of September 18th, Blaine County had reported 17 total COVID-19 cases, two of which were active. After reporting 13 new cases on October 19th, the number of total cases is up to 242. 131 are active, including nine active hospitalizations. There have been three COVID-19 related deaths.
McPherson-Hauer says this virus is impacting people of all ages, with symptoms and longevity of the illness varying widely.
“Our hospitalizations are affecting people of all ages. Sadly, the three deaths that we have recorded out of our County are affecting people across all ages, are affecting people both with and without specific underlying health conditions. So there seems to be a narrative that this is affecting our elders specifically and people with underlying health conditions. While there is research that shows that those people are more poorly affected, we’re seeing it across all ages, we’re seeing some quite sick people across all ages. So it’s important to protect everyone.”
It affects everyone so differently. Even people within the same household, we’re seeing just really varied effects, varied symptoms during the course of illness. If we can just prevent it, that’s always the way we want to handle it first.”
McPherson-Hauer says the rapid increase of COVID-19 in Blaine County has put stress on her Department.
“We’re working long hours, we’re relying heavily on partners, both in the entire public health department, which is small in a rural jurisdiction. But also in our partner departments, either county or outside of the county structure, to assist us. When I say long hours, I mean 12-plus hour days for some of us as we work through increased numbers.”
Blaine County Disaster and Emergency Services has lent assistance with a part-time and full-time employee helping out with incident command. They are also working with clinic partners and local schools. They have been relying on the state for guidance and support, but have not asked for additional help at this time.
“However, we did just last week, obtain some funding. We’re going to use that to hire another full-time physician that is funded for two years through our Public Health Emergency Preparedness Program. That position is a disease intervention specialist, and we’re looking specifically for a nurse to fill that. Hopefully, a little bit extra help that could cover a lot of our program areas.”
Contact Tracing
McPherson-Hauer says she believes most people are complying with contact tracing efforts, but there are some misunderstandings.
“We have large families that live in our county. And people who are asked to quarantine will still have contacts through that large family and potentially spread an infection before they know that they are contagious. Once a large family is affected, that drives numbers up pretty quickly. We also notice that people travel between homes when quarantined, and that would be against the recommendations. Recognizing that sometimes, of course, that’s hard to prevent. But going between family members homes or going between even a one-bed home where you’re going between parents, that has affected our numbers. Social gatherings continue to affect our numbers.”
Another issue is people not being honest with contact tracers.
“When I reach out to somebody and ask about contacts within their infectious period, I’ve had people who feel like they would be protecting their contacts if they don’t name them, and don’t have them quarantining. We just want people to know that’s the opposite. Really, you’re protecting your contacts by allowing us to be in touch to make sure they’re monitored. And we just check in with them and ask them how they’re feeling. Make sure they’re monitored and have the resources they need should they become symptomatic. Make sure they have the resources and coordination for testing. That’s really where the protection of contacts lies. It’s not hiding them from public health, we’re really just here to slow down the spread of this.”
Local Health Care System
Like most of rural Montana, the health care system in Blaine County is fragile.
There are local clinic providers such as the Indian Health Service Fort Belknap Unit, which has some observation beds and stabilization capabilities, but most hospitalizations have to be transferred outside of Blaine County.
“We have a strong volunteer EMS system. And we’re very appreciative to the the hospitals that are on the receiving end of our EMS, at different EMS crews. At this point, I have full faith in the fact that if we have somebody that is requiring that level of care, that our statewide, especially our regional partners, would work with us to get them the care that they require.”
But with many hospitals across the state at or near capacity, McPherson-Hauer worries that could change if the virus continues to rapidly spread.
“It is absolutely part of the reason we’re asking people to participate in mitigation strategies. It’s a very real situation when hospitals are at capacity and they have to start shifting situations or adding beds elsewhere.”
Local clinical providers continue to do the best they can, but are also under stress.
“Their operations have had to change through this multiple times as our situation changes and our numbers increase. They have had to shift and adjust. So it’s really affecting everyone that is related to the health industry at this point and health care field. It’s starting to become something that is really unpredictable. It has been since the beginning, but it’s starting to become something that if we don’t get some unification from the people that we’re trying to serve, some buy-in from the public, it’s starting to feel like our efforts are for naught. And that’s frustrating.”
Community Cooperation
That cooperation the Blaine County Health Department is seeking from the public takes many forms, from following the mask mandate and social distancing to not attending large gatherings.
“Social gatherings, where people feel like they are well and attend social gatherings and come down with symptoms in the next day or two, that includes the entire social gathering, anyone who was within six feet for 15-minutes, is a contact and is potentially exposed. So limiting social gatherings and recognizing the reason for doing it (is crucial). It’s not because we don’t want people to be together, it’s because we need to get our arms around this (virus). We would like the public to give us that fighting chance.”
Despite the Governor’s mask mandate, the issue of wearing a mask remains a polarizing issue on the Hi-Line. McPherson-Hauer wants to reiterate that wearing a mask is not a silver bullet, but it can go a long ways towards slowing the spread of COVID-19.
“What we do know is that mask use very likely may slow or stop the transmission of the virus. So you may still have to quarantine, you may still be a contact if there is an identified case. But it may be the difference between having to stay home for 14-days and watch their symptoms or becoming gravely ill.”
McPherson-Hauer says she has not consulted the Blaine County Board of Health on potential new restrictions if the spread of COVID-19 continues at high rates, but that could be in the cards
“If the Governor’s Directives were being followed, one of those things is to really continue to social distance, wear the mask, all of those mitigation strategies. If those were being appropriately followed and adhered to, I believe that we would see a slow in our case numbers. But absolutely, constantly reevaluating our situation and do recognize that we have some ability to implement more stringent restrictions than are currently in place. But at this point, we don’t have a specific plan to do that.”
Flu Season
With flu season in its beginning stages, McPherson-Hauer says the importance of getting a flu shot is elevated this year.
“It’s going to be absolutely imperative that people are protecting themselves from flu-like illness during the flu season. So anything we can do to prevent even more burden on our health care system, even more burden on the folks in health and public health, is going to be a benefit.”
