BUTTE — In a press release, the Butte-Silver Bow Health Department announced two new confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the county on Tuesday afternoon.
The cases are represented by a female in her 20s and a male in his 50s. The two individuals are isolated in their homes.
The cases represent the county’s 19th and 20th confirmed COVID-19 events. The Health Department is now managing nine active cases.
The 19th case was confirmed by the state to the Health Department over the last weekend. The 20th case was confirmed Tuesday, July 7, and is not yet reflected on the state’s county map, located at https://montana.maps.arcgis.com/apps/MapSeries/index.html?appid=7c34f3412536439491adcc2103421d4b [montana.maps.arcgis.com].
Health Officer Karen Sullivan said department investigators believe Case No. 19 is related to travel outside of Montana. Close contacts of this case have been located and are quarantined awaiting test results.
An investigation into Case No. 20 is underway, but department investigators believe the case may be related to the individual working outside of the county.
An investigation into the county’s 18th case, represented by a male in his 20’s, continues. The department has followed up with close contacts of this individual, and they are quarantining and awaiting test results.
Butte-Silver Bow’s first confirmed case was announced March 13.
“In addition to investigating new cases and managing active cases, the Health Department is discussing ways to keep Butte-Silver Bow under Phase II guidelines,” Sullivan said, referring to Montana Gov. Steve Bullock’s phased reopening plan for the state, which is in Phase II. “What will it take to keep Butte-Silver Bow in Phase II? Is that a universal mask order involving wearing masks in all public places? Is that a strong encouragement of mask-wearing? Is that encouragement of physical distancing in all places, or something stronger? We are developing metrics that will assist in our decision-making on these matters.”
Butte-Silver Bow has not yet declared community spread of the novel coronavirus. Sullivan said community spread may be one metric that would lead to a universal mask order. She said the county’s Board of Health will be part of that decision-making.
Community-wide testing for COVID-19 continues this week at the Butte Plaza Mall, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesday, July 8, and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursday, July 9. The community-wide testing is offered to individuals who are asymptomatic.
Those with symptoms are asked to seek testing at Southwest Montana Community Health Center, 445 Centennial Ave. in Butte. Symptoms may appear two to 14 days after exposure to the virus, and include fever or chills, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, fatigue, muscle or body aches, headache, loss of taste or smell, sore throat, congestion or runny nose, nausea or vomiting, and diarrhea.
More severe symptoms include trouble breathing, persistent pain or pressure in the chest, confusion, inability to wake or stay awake, and bluish lips or face. Those with these more severe symptoms are asked to seek emergency medical care immediately.
