HAVRE, Mont. (NMB) – The Hill County Health Board convened virtually on Friday afternoon to provide the latest update on COVID-19 in the area.
After several months of low case numbers, there has been an increase in COVID-19 cases in Hill County. Seven new cases were reported on Thursday, the most in a single-day since February 24th. Health Officer Kim Berg says another five new cases were reported on Friday.
“They are not all related. We’ve had some work exposures, we’ve had school exposures, we’ve had I believe just community exposure. I would say we still have community spread happening.”
Berg says around half of all new cases are in people 30 years of age or under, while the other half of new cases are in people over the age of 30.
With case numbers on the rise and a weekend full of events in Havre scheduled, Berg provides the following tips:
“People still need to remember that we’re in the middle of a pandemic. I know we’re coming towards the end of it. Our numbers are lower than they were in previous months, but we’re starting to see a spike. Just take those precautions that we’ve been talking about for the last year. Try to avoid large crowds if possible, social distance if you are out and about. If you are not going to social distance, please wear a face covering, and get that vaccination if you haven’t gotten it yet.”
As of Friday afternoon, Hill County has reported 2,017 total COVID-19 cases. 18 are active, four of which are hospitalized. Around 60 people are in quarantine after being identified as close contacts. That number may increase with contact tracing ongoing.
Hill County has seen three total reinfections, which is the same as three weeks ago. There was one new breakthrough case in the last two weeks, bringing the total in the county to three. A breakthrough case is when someone tests positive for COVID-19 after being fully vaccinated.
The number of local cases that have been confirmed as variants is up slightly, with a total of seven. Four are variants of concern, while three are variants of interest.
Hill County is now up to 5,408 people fully vaccinated. That equals 41 percent of eligible residents, an increase of five percent from two weeks ago. It is slightly below the state average of 43 percent.
The Hill County Health Department continues to hold Moderna COVID-19 vaccine clinics on the third Tuesday of every month. The next clinic is June 15th. Call 400-2415 to schedule an appointment.
In addition, the Health Department is expecting to receive doses of the Pfizer vaccine within the next two weeks, allowing them to vaccinate those between the ages of 12-17, since the Pfizer vaccine is the only one authorized for that age group. The Health Department is now able to store the Pfizer vaccine due to a recent change in storage requirements.
COVID-19 vaccine appointments can also be scheduled with many local pharmacies, as well as the Rocky Boy and Fort Belknap Health Departments or Northern Montana Health Care.
The next COVID-19 virtual update from the Health Board is set for Friday, June 18th at 1 PM. At the conclusion of that meeting, the Board will reassess whether to continue with bi-weekly COVID-19 updates.
This post has been updated following Hill County’s daily case update
