Even as the omicron variant loosens its grip on Montana, other respiratory viruses usually reach their peak transmission during February. According to Dr. Nikki Gentile with University of Washington Medicine Primary Care, a handful of common drugstore items could alleviate symptoms of mile COVID-19 or another respiratory illness.
Helena Clinician Addresses Pandemic Effects On Perception
If you’re having trouble connecting to what you consider reality due to the ongoing pandemic trauma induced changing perceived reality you’re not alone. Daniel Champer is a clinical director at Intermountain Children’s Home in Helena who explained the nature of these little traumas we’re experiencing recently on Voices of Montana.
Medicare Enrollees To Receive Access To Monthly Rapid COVID Tests
Medicare will provide up to eight free over the counter COVID rapid tests a month to enrolled seniors with the “Part B” outpatient benefit early this spring. They will also be available to people with Medicare Advantage. The at-home tests will be available at pharmacies and other locations. The Associated Press reports this will be...
District Judge Rules In Favor Of State Law Outlawing Vaccine Mandate
District Court judge Olivia Rieger denied a request Tuesday to block a Montana law barring businesses from requiring employees to get vaccinated against COVID-19 or any other disease while a legal challenge plays out. The lawsuit was filed by the Netzer Law office in Sidney and the Richland County Judge said the law firm’s ...
COVID-19 Death Toll Reaches 3,000 In Montana
Over 3,000 Montanans have died from the coronavirus and there are nearly 20,000 active cases across the state. Billings Clinic epidemiologist Dr. Neil Ku says 7 million Americans are immunocompromised but we aren’t necessarily able to identify them just by looking at them because COVID-19 is not like heart disease where it only hurts one perso...
County Health Departments Now Distributing Rapid COVID-19 Tests
Montana county health departments have begun distributing the free rapid COVID-19 antigen tests acquired by the state last month. University of Washington Medicine’s Dr. Patrick Mathias says these tests area a good option for communities with a high rate of infection.
Traffic Closed At Sweet Grass Canadian Port Of Entry
U.S. Customs and Border Protection is warning the public of traveling delays due to the closure of Canadian Highway 4 north of the Sweet Grass border crossing into Alberta due to a vehicle blockade of people protesting Canadian COVID regulations. Michael Wilson the CEO of Billings-based Whitewood Transport said on Voices of Montana recently th...
Montana Reportedly Holding On To Expired COVID Tests To Avoid Shortage
Some states have gone from donating surplus rapid covid-19 tests to states with shortages to hoarding them lately as demand driven by the spike in cases strains supplies. Kaiser Health News reports last January, North Dakota donated 1 million to Montana and Pennsylvania. This January, Montana held on to expired tests in hopes the federal gover...
Lewis & Clark County Now Using Automated COVID Tracing
Lewis and Clark Public Health is going to automated contact tracing starting today. Details from Troy Shockley our Capitol City Correspondent.
Montana Epidemiologist Warns That Relaxed COVID Approach Is Leading To More Infections
The omicron variant of COVID-19 has led to the greatest spike of the virus in Montana since the start of the pandemic but some people are taking a relaxed attitude toward taking precautions. Billings Clinic epidemiologist Doctor Neil Ku says this is not the time because that attitude has potentially harmful consequences for some.