Hill County sees another COVID-19- related death

Hill County Health Department Thursday reported the 46th COVID-19-related death for the county in a resident younger than 40.

Numbers have dropped substantially from last fall and early winter in this part of Montana, but new cases still are being reported — Hill, Blaine and Chouteau counties reported no new cases today, but Liberty County reported a new case — and the death shows that the virus is still impacting the area.

With Hill County at 46 COVID-19-related deaths, Blaine is at 24, Chouteau at seven and Liberty at one.

The state now has 1,651 deaths.

And officials are urging people to get vaccinated.

Pfizer, Moderna and Johnson & Johnson vaccines are available in the area, with Johnson & Johnson only requiring one shot and the others requiring a series of two shots.

Pfizer is authorized for use in people 12 and older, while Moderna and Johnson & Johnson are approved for 18 and older, although studies for younger users — including children younger than 12 — are underway.

Two weeks after the final shot, people are considered fully vaccinated.

Health officials also warn that, until people are fully vaccinated, they are more likely to be infected, especially with the newer more-contagious Delta variant that wreaked havoc in India and is causing major problems in Britain, which now is becoming more prevalent in the United States including in Montana.

Full vaccination generally protects people from the Delta variant and other variants, so officials are urging people to get vaccinated as quickly as possible.

Hill County Health Department is holding is a Pfizer vaccination clinic next Wednesday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., closed from noon to 1 p.m.

A release said walk-ins are welcome at the clinic and people with questions can call 406-400-2415.

The health departments at Rocky Boy’s and Fort Belknap Indian reservations also have the Pfizer vaccine, and are offering it to all.

People can call the Rocky Boy Health Department at 406-395-1655 and the Fort Belknap Health Department at 406-353-3219.

People can call the Blaine County Health Department at 406-395-4305 to schedule a vaccination or for more information.

People can call the Chouteau County Health Department at 406-622-3771.

People can call the Liberty County Health Department at 406-759-5517.

And other options also are available.

Northern Montana Health Care’s flu clinic is taking calls at 406-262-1585 to schedule vaccinations.

In Havre, Gary & Leo’s Pharmacy is taking walk-ins seven days a week for vaccinations with Johnson & Johnson, and Western Drug at 406-265-9601 is taking calls to schedule Moderna vaccinations and taking walk-ins for Johnson & Johnson.

Bullhook Community Health Center is booking vaccinations at 406-395-4305 , and its pharmacy also is taking calls at the same number to tell people about vaccine availability. People can also call Big Sandy Pharmacy at 406-378-5588 to schedule a vaccination.

People can also call Big Sandy Pharmacy at 406-378-5588 to schedule a vaccination.