Press Release From Beaverhead County Health On Second Corona Virus Case

Second case of COVID-19 confirmed in Beaverhead County

Beaverhead County Public Health is investigating one newly confirmed case of COVID-19 in the county.

This brings Beaverhead County’s total COVID-19 case count to 2.

The case is a male in his 40’s who was asymptomatic (no symptoms). He was notified that he was a potential contact to positive cases from his work site located out of the county and followed up with a healthcare provider. He is currently isolating in another county with family. The case was reported to public health with a presumptive positive which was confirmed through the Montana Public Health Lab late Saturday, July 4.

A close contact has been identified and is in quarantine. If you have not been contacted by public health, you are not considered a close contact. A close contact is someone who is within 6 feet for at least 15 minutes with a positive case.

Beaverhead County Public Health Director, Sue Hansen, reminds Beaverhead County residents to be cautious and remain vigilant as cases in Montana continue to dramatically increase. Social distancing, wearing face coverings, washing hands, and remaining home when sick are 4 of the very simple and proven ways we can reduce the transmission of this disease. Just because the county has had very few cases does not mean we are immune to an outbreak of COVID-19. Large gatherings such as weddings and crowed bars where social distancing is not being followed have been linked to recent cases in Montana.

Community-wide testing for COVID-19 will begin this Friday, July 10th at Beaverhead County Public Health located at 41 Barrett Street. Testing will begin at 11am to 1pm. There is a possibility that testing time will be longer if public health receives more testing supplies from the state. Testing is being planned at Dillon History Days on Friday, July 24th for community-wide testing. This testing is for asymptomatic persons only. Those who have symptoms are asked to seek testing at Barrett Hospital and Healthcare by calling their healthcare provider. Those experiencing severe symptoms are asked to seek emergency medical care at the hospital

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