By Powder River Public Health
There has been a large surge in positive COVID-19 cases locally and in the state. In Powder River County 55 cases of COVID-19 were confirmed in September. This included 2 deaths, 2 hospitalizations (unvaccinated male in his 20’s, vaccinated female in her 90’s) and 15 breakthrough cases.
A breakthrough case is a positive case in a person who is fully vaccinated although usually will experience greatly decreased symptoms and see lower hospitalizations.
We have seen positive cases in those age 3-95 years old with an average age of 40. These positive cases have affected businesses, the nursing home, and the high school. There are likely many more cases in the community.
With the assistance of the Powder River Medical Clinic, during the month of September, over 120 tests were completed with just over 60 of those done in the last week of the month.
When speaking with those who have tested positive, most who have been vaccinated have reported milder symptoms with a shorter duration of illness. The symptoms are not typically different but much less severe. Common symptoms reported have been sinus/nasal congestion, runny nose, sore throat, fever, cough and body aches.
In addition to the immediate illness, mitigation studies have shown that COVID-19 is having long lasting effects that target the lungs, heart, and brain. A recent study from Mayo clinic shows the virus can significantly damage these three organs and have long lasting effects.
COVID-19 symptoms are often mistaken for the common cold. To rule out the common cold, we ask that if you are having any of these symptoms, please get tested. If you do not want to be tested, the very least that you can do for the health of your community is to isolate and prevent transmission to others.
Vaccination will not only decrease your risk of contracting the virus but also offers protection against transmission to others, severe symptoms, hospitalization and even death.
To slow the transmission and prevent a greater negative impact on businesses and schools, please take precautions such as: avoid large crowds (especially indoors), wash your hand frequently, stay home and keep your children home when sick, get vaccinated, and wear a mask when appropriate. The same precautions that saw us through the last year, still pertain and we urge people to keep up following them.
If you have not been vaccinated against COVID-19, you are urged to do so. You can make an appointment for vaccination by calling Morgan at the Powder River Medical Clinic. Moderna, Pfizer and Johnson & Johnson vaccines are offered. To reserve your dose, call today.
To put this latest community outbreak into perspective, during 2020, our busiest month was October. That month there were 43 cases, 4 deaths and 4 hospitalizations (3 in their 70’s and 1 in their 60’s). The age range was 1-100 with an average age of 54. We surpassed that this September and if this continues, October will be debilitating to the community as a whole. Please help one another to slow down the spread and follow good practices, research vaccination, and if nothing else, stay home if you are ill.
We have 401 fully vaccinated in Powder River Co. that is 27%. This is one of the lowest vaccination rates in the State of Montana. This will continue to affect our population, especially in the compromised and aging community members.
Reader Comments(0)