HAVRE, Mont. (NMB) – COVID-19 testing is ramping up in Hill County.
Public Health Director Kim Larson says now that they are permitted to use saline as a viral transport media, they are able to test more people.
“I believe that now we are pretty much able to test people that are symptomatic and present up there, so there has been some more testing available. According to the State Health Department, we should be able to test anybody that presents with symptoms of COVID-19 and has that travel history that goes along with it.
Larson says as testing increases in Hill County, positive cases may come to light since asymptomatic people can transmit the virus.
“I am a little worried that we have had it in our community and it has just gone undetected. However, I believe our community has done a good job of social distancing and keeping it pretty low for right now. And hopefully it stays that way.”
As of Friday, 51 COVID-19 tests had been performed on Hill County residents.
Northern Montana Hospital remains the only place in Havre conducting COVID-19 tests.
The one Hill County resident who previously tested positive for COVID-19 has since recovered.
