Local COVID-19 alternative clinic opens

Northern Montana Health Care announced Friday evening it has opened an alternative clinic for suspected novel coronavirus disease 2019, COVID-19, patients and is urging people to use caution with the virus now confirmed to be in Montana.

NMHC said that while no cases of COVID-19 have been confirmed in Hill County, some people in the area are at high risk of having been exposed to the virus.

Gov. Steve Bullock confirmed Friday that four presumptive positive cases, who have tested positive for COVID-19 at a state or local laboratory but have not been confirmed by the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention, have been found in Montana.

NMHC has closed Northern Montana Hospital and Northern Montana Health Care to visitors, and both facilities are locked. If people need access, they are asked to call the hospital at 265-2211 to speak to the administrative director on shift.

The clinic is located on the east end of the NMHC in the building formerly known as Medical Group East.

Bullock declared an emergency in the state Thursday, saying “Now is the time to plan, not to panic.”

A release said the state of emergency “allows the governor to direct a coordinated response to an outbreak of communicable disease. This includes mobilizing all available state resources, such as emergency funds or personnel from the National Guard. It also allows the governor to take additional steps as warranted.”

Friday, President Donald Trump declared a national emergency due to the outbreak of the virus.

The virus was first detected in China in late December.

World Health Organization reported Friday that, since the outbreak in December, worldwide, 132,758 cases have been confirmed and 4,955 COVID-19-related deaths have been confirmed.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported Friday that 1,629 cases have been reported in the U.S. in 46 states and the District of Columbia, and it has caused 41 deaths in the U.S.

The NHMC release said the most important thing people should do if they experience symptoms of COVID-19 is to self-isolate. Quarantining themselves and their family members will help reduce the spread of the virus.

People with the symptoms are urged to avoid close contact with others in their household and with pets while the household is self-isolated.

People experiencing the symptoms of COVID-19, typically fever, dry cough, sore throat, stomach issues or nasal secretions - a runny nose - are advised to treat their symptoms with Tylenol, Motrin and over-the-counter cold medicines, the NMHC release said.

As with any viral infection, people with COVID-19 are advised to get plenty of rest and stay well-hydrated, drinking plenty of fluids or eating broth-based soups like chicken noodle or vegetable soup.

People who are unable to manage their symptoms at home are advised to first contact health care professionals by telephone.

Local patients who believe they may need to be assessed by a health care professional are asked to report to the parking lot of the COVID-19 clinic at 124 13th Street and then to call 262-1570.

NMHC is asking the community at this time to use the Emergency Department at Northern Montana Hospital for life-threatening conditions only.

NMHC is setting up an incident command center to deal with the challenges COVID-19 presents to the community, the release said, and the alternative clinic is a result of its findings.

The presumptive cases confirmed in Montana Friday evening are a Gallatin County man in his 40s, a Yellowstone County woman in her 50s, a Silver Bow County man in his 50s and a Lewis and Clark County man in his 50s, a release from the governor's office said.

Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services nd all involved local county health departments are immediately following up to learn more details about the four people's exposure risk, travel history, and to identify and communicate with anyone who may have been in close contact with the patients, the release said.

All patients will be isolated pursuant to public health guidelines, the release said. People who came into close contact with the patients will be monitored for 14 days for fever and respiratory symptoms per CDC guidance.

The release said DPHHS has tested a total of 107 individuals for COVID-19 as of Friday. These numbers are updated daily here: https://dphhs.mt.gov/publichealth/cdepi/diseases/coronavirusmt .

Avoid exposure

CDC reports no vaccine exists at this time to prevent COVID-19, and the best way to prevent illness to avoid being exposed to it.

The virus is thought to spread mainly from person-to-person, between people who are in close contact with one another, within about 6 feet, and though droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes.

These droplets can land in the mouths or noses of people who are nearby or possibly be inhaled into the lungs.

Hygeine

Standard hygiene also can reduce the risk of infection.

People should wash their hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after they have been in a public place, or after blowing their nose, coughing, or sneezing.

If soap and water are not readily available, people should use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60 percent alcohol, covering all surfaces of their hands and rubbing them together until they feel dry.

People should avoid touching their eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.

People should also avoid close contact with people who are sick and put distance between themselves and other people‚ more than 6 feet - if COVID-19 is spreading in their community.

This is especially important for people who are at higher risk of getting very sick.

CDC reports older adults and people who have severe underlying chronic medical conditions like heart or lung disease or diabetes seem to be at higher risk for developing more serious complications from COVID-19 illness. These people are advised to consult with their health care provider about additional steps they may be able to take to protect yourself.

Caring for selves

People who are experiencing symptoms should stay home except to get medical care, CDC reports.

People who are mildly ill with COVID-19 are able to isolate at home during their illness. People should restrict activities outside their home, except for getting medical care.

They should avoid public areas, not going to work, school, or public areas.

They should avoid using public transportation, ride-sharing, or taxis.

People with symptoms also should separate themselves from other people and animals in theier home

As much as possible, they should stay in a specific room and away from other people in their home and should use a separate bathroom, if available.

People should should restrict contact with pets and other animals while they are sick with COVID-19, just like they would around other people. Although there have not been reports of pets or other animals becoming sick with COVID-19, it is still recommended that people sick with COVID-19 limit contact with animals until more information is known about the virus.

When possible, people should have another member of their household care for their animals while they are sick. people sick with COVID-19 should avoid contact with their pet, including petting, snuggling, being kissed or licked and sharing food.

People who must care for their pet or be around animals while they are sick should wash your hands before and after they interact with pets and wear a facemask.

Visit https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/faq.html#2019-nCoV-and-animals for more information.

Preventing the spread of the virus

People also should call ahead before visiting their doctor

If they have a medical appointment, they should call the health care provider and tell them they have or may have COVID-19. This will help the health care provider's office take steps to keep other people from getting infected or exposed.

People who are sick should wear a facemask when you are around other people, such as sharing a room or vehicle, or pets and before entering a health care provider's office.

If a person who is sick is not able to wear a facemask, for example, because it causes trouble breathing, then people who live with the person who is sick should not stay in the same room with them, or they should wear a facemask if they enter a room with the person who is sick.

People should cover their mouth and nose with a tissue when they cough or sneeze and throw used tissues in a lined trash can and should immediately wash their hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or, if soap and water are not available, clean their hands with an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60 percent alcohol.

People should regularly wash their hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after blowing their nose, coughing, or sneezing; going to the bathroom; and before eating or preparing food.

If soap and water are not readily available, people should use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60 percent alcohol, covering all surfaces of their hands and rubbing them together until they feel dry.

Soap and water are the best option if hands are visibly dirty.

People should avoid touching their eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.

People should not share dishes, drinking glasses, cups, eating utensils, towels, or bedding with other people or pets in their home.

After using these items, they should be washed thoroughly with soap and water.

People should practice a routine cleaning of high-touch surfaces.

High-touch surfaces include counters, tabletops, doorknobs, bathroom fixtures, toilets, phones, keyboards, tablets, and bedside tables.

People should also clean any surfaces that may have blood, stool, or body fluids on them.

People should use a household cleaning spray or wipe, according to the label instructions. Labels contain instructions for safe and effective use of the cleaning product including precautions people should take when applying the product, such as wearing gloves and making sure they have good ventilation during use of the product.

Seeking additional care

People with symptoms should seek prompt medical attention if their illness is worsening, such as having difficulty breathing.

Before seeking care, people should call their health care provider and tell them that they have, or are being evaluated for, COVID-19.

People should put on a facemask before they enter the health care facility. These steps will help the health care provider's office to keep other people in the office or waiting room from getting infected or exposed.

People need to ask their health care provider to call the local or state health department. People who are placed under active monitoring or facilitated self-monitoring should follow instructions provided by their local health department or occupational health professionals, as appropriate.

People who have a medical emergency and need to call 911, should notify the dispatch personnel that they have, or are being evaluated for, COVID-19. If possible, they should put on a facemask before emergency medical services arrive.

Patients with confirmed COVID-19 should remain under home isolation precautions until the risk of secondary transmission to others is thought to be low.

The decision to discontinue home isolation precautions should be made on a case-by-case basis, in consultation with healthcare providers and state and local health departments.