HAVRE, Mont. (NMB) – In a press release early Friday afternoon, the Hill County Health Department announced that they have been notified of three confirmed cases of the Delta COVID-19 variant strain in the community.
It appears that two of the three cases came from individuals tested at the Rocky Boy Health Center, as they announced two confirmed cases of the delta variant in a press release just a few hours prior to the notice from the Hill County Health Department.
Hill County Health Officer Kim Berg says that the cases, which were confirmed through surveillance testing through the state, are no longer active.
However, it is very likely that the Delta variant is continuing to spread throughout the community. This is impossible to confirm because surveillance testing does not have a quick turnaround time, so by the time County and Tribal Health Departments hear back from DPHHS about surveillance tests, the cases are often no longer active.
Berg adds that the current active COVID-19 cases in Hill County range in age from teenagers to 79 years-old. She encourages everyone to follow COVID-precautions that have been preached since the start of the pandemic.
The newly confirmed but since recovered Delta cases were not included in the weekly variant update on Thursday from DPHHS. One previous case of the Delta variant has been confirmed in Liberty, Blaine and Toole Counties, while 24 have been confirmed in Cascade County.
The Delta variant is more transmissible and has become the dominant virus strain in the United States.
Local health officials continue to encourage those who have not been vaccinated to get their shot, as those that are not vaccinated are at a much higher risk of having severe illnesses from the Delta variant.
They also encourage everyone, regardless of vaccination status, to wear a mask in public indoor settings.
To schedule an appointment to get the vaccine, contact your local health department or healthcare provider.
