Briefs for July 22, 2020
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Barron to discuss current affairs in Lake County
POLSON — The Pachyderm Club would like to invite the public to hear Commissioner Bill Barron give a presentation on the current affairs of Lake County on July 24 from noon-1 p.m. The meeting will take place at the Rural Polson Fire station off Regatta Road. If you need more information, call Frank Delgado at 406-676-2370.
UM football season opener canceled
News from the Cascade Collegiate Conference
CORVALLIS, OREGON — On Friday, the Great Northwest Athletic Conference announced the cancellation of fall sports. This conference includes Central Washington University, which Montana had scheduled as their home opener on Sept. 5. In addition, intercollegiate competition in all CCC sports is suspended until at least Nov. 1 and will be reevaluated at that time.
Montana State Hospital employee tests positive for COVID-19
News from DPHHS
Department of Public Health and Human Services officials announced one Montana State Hospital employee has tested positive for COVID-19.
MSH administration and the individual that tested positive are working directly with the DPHHS Public Health and Safety Division staff and the Anaconda-Deer Lodge County Health Department to conduct contact tracing to identify any close contacts as part of the ongoing investigation.
DPHHS Director Sheila Hogan said additional preventive safety measures were initially put in place in March and have been revised as needed in accordance with modifications to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines for healthcare facilities in response to COVID-19 in preparation for positive cases at MSH.
The employee that tested positive does not provide direct care to patients in the facility but does have some limited contact with patients and staff as part of standard job duties. The employee was under protocol to wear a mask when in contact with patients as required of all MSH staff.
To date, there’s been no positive COVID-19 cases related to the Montana State Hospital patients. The employee that tested positive has been in self-quarantine since July 16. It is believed the employee contracted COVID-19 through a family member.
Staff and patients determined to have had close contact with the employee will be tested. In addition, MSH is participating in enhanced surveillance testing that involve state and county congregate living settings, such as state correctional institutions, mental health facilities, treatment centers and facilities for those with developmental needs. Approximately 50 percent of MSH staff and patients have been tested thus far and to date all test results have been negative.
