The Teton County Health Department will provide this COVID-19 (Coronavirus) update daily.
Date: 07/15/20 9:25 a.m.
Confirmed Cases in Teton County: 15
Confirmed Cases in Montana: 2,096 (145 new cases reported since last Friday.)
Please refer to this map of reported COVID-19 cases in Montana.
Key Messages:
We now have 15 confirmed positive cases of COVID-19 in Teton County. You can read the most recent press release here: Press Release 7.11.20
- Testing
- Testing is available daily at BTMC; symptomatic or close contacts of confirmed COVID-19 cases are prioritized. Call the clinic or TCHD first, to reduce the risk of transmission to others.
- Testing for asymptomatic, non-close contacts is available from Alluvion every Wednesday from 10am to 4pm at the south side of the Choteau Pavilion. No insurance or Doctor’s Order is necessary.
- COVID-19 symptoms – Watch for symptoms of COVID-19.
People with COVID-19 have had a wide range of symptoms reported – ranging from mild symptoms to severe illness. Symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus. People with these symptoms may have COVID-19:
- Fever or chills
- Cough
- Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
- Fatigue
- Muscle or body aches
- Headache
- New loss of taste or smell
- Sore throat
- Congestion or runny nose
- Nausea or vomiting
- Diarrhea
This list does not include all possible symptoms. CDC will continue to update this list as we learn more about COVID-19.
If you have the symptoms listed above, you should be evaluated by a healthcare provider. Please remember, CALL your healthcare provider first if you think you may have COVID-19. This will help reduce the risk of transmission to others.
- Teton County Hotline Information:
The public is encouraged to call the Teton County COVID-19 Response HOTLINE at 406-466-2505 or email tetonhotline@gmail.com with any questions or needs relating to COVID-19.
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June 1, 2020 began Phase 2 of the Reopening of Montana.
You can read the Governor’s Phase 2 directive here: Phase Two Directive with Appendices
Our health department has created a Phase 2 Guidance for Reopening document that can be found here:
PHASE 2 Guidance for Reopening
Here are the individual sections of the Phase 2 Guidance for reopening document:
PHASE 2 Retail and General Businesses
PHASE 2 Personal Care, Salons, Massage
PHASE 2 Churches and Places of Worship
PHASE 2 Restaurants, Bars, Casinos
PHASE 2 Gyms and Fitness Centers
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Agencies can request PPE from Teton County DES here.
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Teton County Health Department Facebook Page:
We also provide updated information and helpful visual images on our Health Department Facebook Page here: https://www.facebook.com/healthytetoncounty/
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Reopening Plan Template for Businesses and Organizations:
We have created a Reopening Plan Template for businesses and organizations to use as they plan to become operational again. The plan can be printed and is available here:
Businesses are welcome to call the Health Department at 466-2562 for guidance about reopening. We are here to help.
Emergency Health Rules
On April 24, 2020, our Teton County Board of Health issued an Emergency Health Rule Relating to Reopening During COVID-19. You can read the entire Emergency Health Rule here: Emergency Health Rule 4-24-2020
TCHD Press Release
Our Teton County Health Department has issued a press release in regards to Governor Bullock’s Plan for Reopening the Big Sky Phased Approach.
You can read it here: Teton County Health Department Press Release 4-22-20
You can find the Governor’s Directive and the Plan for Reopening the Big Sky Phased approach on the State of Montana’s Joint Information Center webpage here: https://covid19.mt.gov/joint-information-center
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Reopening means that we will likely see new COVID-19 cases in Montana. To help our community be prepared, we are collecting these items for a community stockpile in the case that an individual or family would need to quarantine or isolate quickly. One of our volunteers throughout the county would then deliver the needed items so no one would need to leave the house.
We would also have supplies available for older adults and people of any age who have serious underlying medical conditions and might be at higher risk for severe illness from COVID-19 and do not have a family member or friend to assist them with getting supplies.
Items can be placed in the bin outside of the front door of the health department. If you have any questions about the community stockpile, please call our HOTLINE at 466-2505.
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What is Public Health Contact Tracing?
Contact tracing is a methodology commonly used by Public Health to track and prevent the spread of disease. If a Teton County resident tests positive for COVID-19, the local health department will use contact tracing to investigate the source of the disease, identify close contacts of the individual, and take precautions to reduce the risk of transmission to others.
Here is a flyer to explain Contact Tracing in detail:
Contact Tracing Infographic
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Coping with Stress during COVID-19:
During this COVID-19 pandemic our community members may be experiencing stress, anxiety, fear and loneliness due to our changed daily routines, social isolation from friends and family and financial stress. Some people are concerned about themselves or others getting sick. Many community members are concerned with what the future may bring and really how long this stay at home directive may last.
Some people are experiencing anxiety and/or depression who have never experienced either of those conditions before. Others who have current mental health disorders may see their symptoms worsen. Some people may self-medicate with alcohol, drugs or other substances.
We have created a Teton County Wellness Resource flyer with local resources as well as state and nation-wide hotline numbers. Wellness Resources 7-2020 pdf
The State of Montana’s Addictive and Mental Disorders Division also has a wealth of resources listed here:
AMDD Resources
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The CDC has now shared guidance on the use of cloth face covers to help slow the spread of COVID-19. The CDC recommends wearing cloth face coverings in public settings where other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain (e.g., grocery stores and pharmacies) especially in areas of significant community-based transmission.
It is important to note that a cloth face cover or homemade mask can be a helpful tool to protect you from COVID-19 but it DOES NOT REPLACE these other important measures.
- Avoid touching your face! A mask can serve as a reminder to not touch your nose, mouth and eyes with hands that might have virus on them.
- Maintain 6 ft of distance between you and others at all times.
- Wash your hands frequently for 20 seconds with soap and water. Use hand sanitizer if hand washing is not available.
Our Health Department has created a handout titled Safely Use Your Homemade Mask.
Safely Use Your Homemade Mask
CDC Cloth Face Cover Guidance can be found here:
CDC Guidance for Cloth Face Coverings
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Below are all protective measures that help limit new cases of COVID-19 and flatten the curve so that hospitals do not become overwhelmed.
- Personal – Hand Hygiene:
Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds especially after you have been in a public place, or after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.
If soap and water are not readily available, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. Cover all surfaces of your hands and rub them together until they feel dry.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands. - Community – Social Distancing:
Stay home as much as possible.
Practice social distancing by putting space (at least 6 feet) between yourself and others. - Environmental – Clean & Disinfect:
Clean & disinfect frequently touched surfaces daily. This includes tables, doorknobs, light switches, countertops, handles, desks, phones, keyboards, toilets, faucets, and sinks.
If surfaces are dirty, clean them. Use detergent or soap and water prior to disinfection.
Are you getting your information about
COVID-19 (Coronavirus)from the right sources?
Call our health department at 406-466-2562.
Here are some other credible resources for information on COVID-19:
COVID-19 HOTLINE
1-888-333-0461
COVID19INFO@MT.GOV
You can also visit these websites:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Public Health and Safety – Montana DPHHS
Map of Reported COVID-19 Cases in Montana
Governor Bullock’s Directives
Reopening Montana Phase 2
Resources:
Wellness Resources 7-2020 pdf
Contact Tracing Infographic
Teton County Health Department Press Release 4-22-20
Reopening Plan Template for Businesses and Organizations
Board of Health Emergency Rules:
4-24-20 Emergency Health Rule