Local health department releases statement on coronavirus

On Tuesday, Carter County Public Health released the following statement in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Now is the time for social responsibility. We have to understand others in our circle are vulnerable, and we need to protect them. COVID-19 is a new strain of coronavirus that causes a respiratory illness that is being transmitted across the world. The pandemic COVID-19 has created a massive influx of patients, which is leading to healthcare organizations overseas that are overwhelmed with patients, where healthcare providers have to make the most difficult decisions of their life, who to save.

The virus causes a respiratory illness with symptoms similar to influenza. If you are infected with the virus, SARS-CoV2, you may experience mild to severe symptoms. Mild symptoms present like a common cold – runny nose, mildly sore throat. More moderate symptoms of COVID-19 are fever, cough and body aches.

However, those who are elderly, immunocompromised, or have underlying severe health conditions (chronic lung problems or diabetes) are most likely to develop severe illness, which is more likely to lead to hospitalization and death. While most of us will only have mild to moderate symptoms from the virus, it is time for us to take responsibility for those at high risk of developing severe illness.

• Avoid unnecessary travel – like vacations, non-urgent doctor’s visits, out of town education

• If you choose to travel to areas with COVID-19 outbreaks, you will be asked to self-quarantine at home for 14 days when you return.

• Social distancing – stay home unless you have to go out for work, pay bills, pick up the mail. Avoid large groups.

Unfortunately, we do not know when this will end. However, what we must do now is prevent transmission of COVID-19. This will not only protect those at high risk of developing severe illness but also slow the transmission of the virus. If everyone got sick at once, the US healthcare system would be overwhelmed. It wouldn’t matter how many beds or many masks there are, because what is genuinely in limited supply are those people that have the training and skills to care for the ill.

Measures have already been taken in our area to slow the spread of the virus. The Carter County Commissioners have decided to close the courthouse to the public at this time. The Town Office will also be closed to the public. The senior center will be closed, and congregate meals will be delivered to homes.

To protect the healthcare employees, and the patients and residents of Dahl Memorial Healthcare Association, the decision has been made to close DMHA to public access. The staff has also been asked to self-isolate in order to stay healthy. The doors at DMHA will be locked at all times for the foreseeable future, with a sign on the door for directions. DMHA asks for the public to be respectful at this time, to call DMHA before coming at 406-775-8730, and do not come to DMHA unless you absolutely have to.

However, DMHA does not want to dissuade patients from care, but please call ahead. Please call Dahl Memorial Clinic at 406-775-8738 for questions regarding appointments, prescription refills, lab testing, etc.

At this time, there continues to be limited resources for COVID-19 testing. For this reason, testing will be reserved for individuals who meet specific criteria. If you have mild to moderate respiratory illness symptoms (cough, fever, sore throat, body aches), please call DMHA at 406-775-8730, where you will visit with someone about your symptoms and recent travel history. However, if you or a loved one are experiencing severe respiratory illness or any other medical emergency, please call 911 and the Emergency Medical Services team to transport you to DMHA using proper protective equipment.

Carter County Public Health and Dahl Memorial Healthcare Association are working together to safeguard our most vulnerable and ask you to do the same.