Dillon Tribune

COVID-19

Local

04/14/2021 - 12:00am
Two COVID variant cases ID’d in county, vaccination continues
A second coronavirus “variant of concern” was reported in Beaverhead County over the past couple of weeks. The variant is one of the California mutations. Variants of concern tend to be more easily transmitted or may cause more severe disease....
Vaccine clinics head to Armory this week
County vaccinates over 1,800 residents, 8 new COVID cases
Vaccine clinics moving to Armory
Coronavirus variant case detected in Beaverhead County
County sees uptick in new COVID cases, vaccination efforts progress

State

04/14/2021 - 8:50am
Gianforte Issues Executive Order Prohibiting Vaccine Passports
HELENA – Gov. Greg Gianforte issued an executive order April 13 prohibiting the state-sponsored development and required use of so-called vaccine passports in Montana.  "I strongly encourage Montanans to get a safe, effective COVID-19 vaccine, which...
Emergency Rent, Utility Assistance Available for Montanans Financially Impacted by COVID-19 
Vaccine administration barriers in pharmacies reduced
Vaccine distribution expanded to most vulnerable Montanans with Phase 1B+ 
Phase 1B vaccination group expanding March 8
Gianforte issues new directives, lifts mask mandate

Nation

05/19/2020 - 12:52pm
Telehealth providers awarded $260,000 in COVID-19 grants
WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, through the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) awarded $264,651 in grants to Montana organizations to increase telehealth capabilities in response to the coronavirus...
FBI warns of coronavirus scams
IRS creates web tool for non-filers to get economic impact payments
UPDATED: USDA institutes measures to help rural communities, businesses affected by COVID-19
IRS takes steps to provide taxpayer relief related to coronavirus
President extends 'slow the spread' campaign to end of April

Bullock issues mask mandate, reduced group sizes to combat COVID-19 case increase

HELENA – Gov. Steve Bullock announced Nov. 17 new public health measures to limit capacity in bars, restaurants, breweries, distilleries, and casinos, to limit public gatherings to 25 individuals where social distancing is not possible, and to require face coverings in all counties regardless of case count beginning on Friday, Nov. 20 to slow the spread of COVID-19 in Montana.

Nurse talks about highs, lows of working on a COVID floor

GREAT FALLS, Nov. 9 (AP) – Phones are always ringing.

Patients who need help are pushing call lights.

Families are calling looking for updates.

Nurses working 12-hour shifts, sweating and dehydrated wearing personal protection equipment, sometimes break down in tears.

Patients are recovering. Some aren’t as lucky and never leave, dying as they gasp for breath.

Beds are quickly filled by more patients waiting in the wings.

Gov. issues statewide mask mandate

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Beaverhead County added more than 120 new COVID-19 cases in the past week, joining an explosion of cases statewide.

The growth in new cases and deaths statewide the past few weeks prompted Gov. Steve Bullock to institute a statewide mask mandate – regardless of active case counts – starting Friday, Nov. 20.

Doctors raise alarm over local virus case surge

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Longtime Dillon physician Dr. Ron Loge opened the conversation Thursday with grim statistics.

Second, third county residents die of COVID-19

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Two Beaverhead County residents died this week from the coronavirus at area hospital facilities, public health officials say.

Third COVID-19 death reported in county

A Beaverhead County man in his 70s has died from the coronavirus.

Public Health Director Sue Hansen announced the death Friday. The man was hospitalized in a county facility. The man is the second death this week – a woman in her 80s died Thursday.

There are 345 total cases, of which 54 are active as of Friday. 

Read more about the local virus spread in next week's Dillon Tribune.

Second COVID-19 death occurs in Beaverhead

A second Beaverhead County resident has died from the coronavirus.

Public Health Director Sue Hansen announced Thursday a woman in her 80s died from the virus. The woman was hospitalized in Beaverhead County.

Further information about the resident was not released.

There are 331 total cases and two confirmed deaths as of 5 p.m. Thursday in the county; 42 are considered "active" cases, and two individuals are hospitalized.

Read more about the local virus spread in next week's Dillon Tribune.

County new cases spike, pass 300 total this week

Beaverhead County saw its highest daily tally of new COVID-19 positive cases and exceeded 300 total in the past week.

State secures nursing teams to support rural hospitals

HELENA – Gov. Steve Bullock secured five teams that will include five nurses per team from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to assist critical access hospitals in rural areas of the state with caring for patients.

County commish one of 32 COVID cases in a week

A Beaverhead County commissioner confirmed he and his wife tested positive for the coronavirus last week, and has been in self-quarantine since the diagnosis.