COVID-19

Governor signs bill limiting power of local health boards

Published on Tue, 04/20/2021 - 4:13pm

HELENA (AP) — Montana Gov. Greg Gianforte has signed a bill limiting the power of local public health boards to issue mandates in response to emergencies like the coronavirus pandemic.

Local elected officials such as county commissioners can change or rescind health mandates following Gianforte’s signature Friday. GOP Rep. David Bedey sponsored the bill in response to what some Republicans have said is unelected health officers overstepping their authority.

EU agency finds ‘possible link’ in J&J vaccine and rare clotting

Published on Tue, 04/20/2021 - 4:07pm
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LONDON (AP) — The European Union’s drug regulatory agency said Tuesday that it found a “possible link” between Johnson & Johnson’s COVID-19 vaccine and extremely rare blood clots and recommended a warning be added to the label. But experts at the agency reiterated that the vaccine’s benefits outweigh the risks.

The European Medicines Agency made its determination after examining a small number of clot cases in people vaccinated in the U.S. It said these problems should be considered “very rare side effects of the vaccine.”

Almost 40% of county residents fully vaccinated

Published on Mon, 04/19/2021 - 3:23pm

Nearly 40% of Park County residents have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19, Park County Health Officer Dr. Laurel Desnick reported in her weekly video update Friday, and many more residents have received at least the first dose.

“The supply of vaccine is strong and we have enough to vaccinate everyone in the county age 16 and over,” Desnick said.

The Health Department, Livingston HealthCare, Western Drug, Osco Pharmacy at Albertsons, Community Health Partners and the Medcor Clinic at Mammoth are offering the COVID-19 vaccine.

US recommending ‘pause’ for J&J shots

Published on Tue, 04/13/2021 - 4:11pm
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WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. on Tuesday recommended a “pause” in using the single-dose Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine to investigate reports of rare but potentially dangerous blood clots, setting off a chain reaction worldwide and dealing a setback to the global vaccination campaign.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Food and Drug Administration announced that they were investigating unusual clots in six women between the ages of 18 and 48. One person died. 

Vaccine clinic planned for 16- to 17-year-olds

Published on Mon, 04/12/2021 - 3:31pm

Park County is hosting its first COVID-19 vaccine clinic for 16- and 17-year-olds Tuesday at Park High School, Park County Health Officer Dr. Laurel Desnick announced Friday.

So far, Park County vaccine distributors have been able to vaccinate only those 18 and older because Park County has primarily received doses of the Moderna vaccine, with a small amount of Johnson & Johnson vaccines, both of which are approved for ages 18 and up. The Pfizer vaccine is approved for those age 16 and up.

Mass vaccinations

Published on Thu, 04/01/2021 - 3:17pm
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When her name came up, Tina Palmiter let out a joyous yell and ran to the first available vaccination station.

Palmiter, one of about 570 frontline essential workers receiving their first doses of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine Thursday at the Park County Fairgrounds, said she has a grandson with muscular dystrophy.

“I’m doing this for him and my family,” Palmiter said.

She remained in good spirits after Registered Nurse Mary Hesse administered the vaccination.

“It was great!” she said. “I’ve been waiting for this for months!”

COVID-19 Resilience Fund marks one year

Published on Tue, 03/30/2021 - 3:24pm

This week marked the one-year anniversary of the founding of the Park County Community Foundation’s COVID-19 Resilience Fund, which has raised more then $210,000 for Park County organizations, according to a PCCF press release.

Twenty-three individual grants have been awarded through the fund in the past year to organizations working to respond to COVID-19 in Park County.

County OK’s job descriptions for COVID response team

Published on Tue, 03/30/2021 - 3:24pm

The Park County Commission voted unanimously Tuesday to approve the job descriptions for the Health Department’s COVID-19 response team.

Two job descriptions — one for a team member and one for a team manager — were approved.

Park County Health Officer Dr. Laurel Desnick told the commissioners the roles are being updated so the workers can be more flexible and move between tasks such as contact tracing, testing and vaccinating.

“This pandemic continues to evolve, and the Health Department’s role continues to evolve,” Desnick said.

COVID variant is detected in Park County

Published on Mon, 03/29/2021 - 3:22pm

A COVID-19 variant that originated in the United Kingdom has been detected in Park County, according to the Health Department.

It’s not clear when the variant appeared or who contracted it, Park County Health Officer Dr. Laurel Desnick said Monday.

The state of Montana tests for COVID-19 variants on a random assortment of samples that have already tested positive for COVID-19, Desnick said. One from Park County just happened to be picked, and the variant was detected. 

Vaccine clinic for essential workers set for Thursday

Published on Fri, 03/26/2021 - 3:11pm

Frontline essential workers are eligible for a mass vaccination clinic being held Thursday at the Park County Fairgrounds.

The clinic is scheduled for 8 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.

Park County Health Officer Dr. Laurel Desnick said Friday all frontline essential workers qualify for the clinic, basically anyone who works directly with the public in their jobs, such as people who work in retail, at grocery stores, at gas stations, tradespeople, educators and more.