Health department urges safety precautions as COVID-19 omicron variant enters Montana

As of Tuesday, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported the highly contagious omicron variant had been detected in most states, including Montana.

Ben Spencer, communications and privacy officer for the Cascade City-County Health Department, said because case rates are currently low, the health department is taking the opportunity to refine its case investigation and contact tracing processes.

"Steps are being taken to ensure that our COVID investigation staff has the time and resources to conduct complete, accurate and timely case investigations and promptly inform persons who may have been exposed," he wrote in an email to the Tribune, adding that the health department is examining options to allow infected people to self-report some case information normally collected via phone calls.

"We will continue to provide vaccinations in the coming year through appointments and off-site clinics," he said.

Spencer said the health department wants people to enjoy the holidays with their families and friends but urges "everyone to do so as safely as possible."

More coronavirus news: Montana reports first COVID-19 cases caused by omicron variant

He encouraged people to practice good hygiene, wear a mask in public, socially distance when possible and limit unnecessary interactions with people outside of a close circle.

"If you are feeling sick, please stay away from others and get tested," he said.

Alluvion Health and Walgreens offer drive-thru COVID-19 testing in Great Falls.

The CDC expects that anyone with omicron infection can spread the virus to others, even if they are vaccinated and don't have symptoms. Current vaccines are expected to protect against severe illness, hospitalizations and death due to the omicron infection, according to the CDC.

"The recent emergence of omicron further emphasizes the importance of vaccination and boosters," the CDC states on their website. Fifty-two percent of eligible Montanans are fully vaccinated.

Vaccine news: COVID-19 shots for kids are scarce and demand is mixed in rural Montana

Missoula County boasts the highest vaccination rate statewide, with 64% of eligible residents fully vaccinated. McCone and Powder River counties share the lowest vaccination rate, with 27% of eligible residents fully immunized.

The CDC lists tools to fight the omicron variant, which include vaccines, masks and testing. The CDC recommends that everyone age 5 and older gets a COVID-19 vaccine, and everyone ages 18 and older should get their booster shot at least two months after their Johnson & Johnson vaccine or six months after receiving Pfizer or Moderna vaccines. For more information on vaccines, visit vaccines.gov.

The omicron variant was first detected in November in Botswana. The first case of omicron infection was identified in the U.S. on Dec. 1.

Montana COVID-19 numbers on Tuesday

Montana on Tuesday reported 248 new COVID-19 cases, bringing the total active case count to 1,645. There have been 2,889 total deaths from the virus, which is 11 additional fatalities since Monday.

There are 127 active hospitalizations, and there have been 6,029 new tests since Monday.

Cascade County reported six new COVID-19 cases on Tuesday. The county has 163 active cases and 281 deaths from the virus, with no new deaths since Monday. Forty-eight percent of eligible county residents are fully vaccinated.

Gallatin County reported 65 new cases on Tuesday, Yellowstone County had 39, Flathead County had 35, Missoula County had 30 and Lewis and Clark County had 19.

This article originally appeared on Great Falls Tribune: Montana urges precautions as coronavirus omicron variant enters state