Mineral County adds more coronavirus cases; mask mandate in effect

By AMY QUINLIVAN

Mineral Independent

Over the past several weeks COVID-19 cases have been on a steady rise across Montana. Mineral County has also added four new cases between September 27, and October 3. Since March the county has had a total of six confirmed cases, with two recovered. The state saw a new daily record of 501 cases on October 3, and the total confirmed cases reached 14,256 for all of Montana.

Community Health Specialist for the Mineral County Health Department, Amy Lommen announced on September 27, that there were two confirmed active COVID cases in Mineral County with two additional lab confirmed positives that were received on September 29 and October 2.

Lommen explained, “They are all linked to positive cases, so they are not community spread. I understand people would feel better if they knew where the positive cases were, but it is more important for the community to take measures to protect themselves regardless of whether or not positive cases end up in their town.”

Community spread is described as positive cases being discovered with an unknown origin. She said, “Right now, about 30 percent of Missoula County cases are attributed to community spread.”

For much of Mineral County traveling to Missoula is almost a weekly occurrence between doctor appointments and grocery shopping trips. One would ask is still safe to go?

Lommen stated, “I don't recommend avoiding Missoula. However, I would recommend taking preventative precautions, wearing a cloth face covering, sanitizing hands, not leaving home if you don't feel well, not being around others who aren't feeling well, traveling only when needed, and practicing social distancing when around non-household members.”

1,098 test results have been received in Mineral County as of October 1, that is just over a quarter of the counties entire population of 4,316. In July Governor Steve Bullock created the directive on mandatory use of face coverings in counties that have four or more active cases. With Mineral County now having four active cases, the mask mandate went into effect on the evening of October 2.

Lommen expressed, “We have been following close contacts in every community in the county for months now. The potential is everywhere, hence, why taking measures is extremely important!”

As of October 3, there are 189 active hospitalizations in Montana, total number of tests completed state wide is at 354,783. 9,601 people have recovered from the virus.