Yellowstone County Reports New Daily Record of COVID-19 Cases

Yellowstone County on Thursday recorded 334 new cases of COVID-19 – a daily record – and one new death, according to RiverStone Health.

A woman in her 80s died at a hospital in Billings on Wednesday, the 339th Yellowstone County resident to die of the disease. She was fully vaccinated with underlying health issues.

The county also has 2,054 cases awaiting investigation, also a record, according to RiverStone.

Meanwhile, on Thursday, the Billings Clinic and St. Vincent Healthcare had 118 COVID-19 patients in their hospitals, 96 of whom were unvaccinated.

Anyone who tests positive for COVID-19 will receive letters from RiverStone Health with instructions to self-isolate to avoid spreading the virus to others. Most cases will not be investigated because the high number of cases has exceeded limited resources.

RiverStone Health is prioritizing investigating COVID-19 cases involving people ages 0-19 with the aim of slowing the spread of the disease in schools.

“The high incidence of COVID-19 in our community is forcing all of us to take precautions,” said John Felton, Yellowstone County Health Officer and Chief Executive Officer of RiverStone Health. “First, I strongly encourage everyone aged 12 and over to receive safe and effective vaccines which are readily available at local pharmacies, hospitals and clinics. In addition, people 2 years of age and older must wear masks in indoor public spaces. Everyone should try to avoid crowds and practice consistent and thorough hand washing. These steps will reduce your risk of getting infected with COVID-19. “

RiverStone Health will be hosting these free, walk-in COVID-19 vaccination clinics:

Thursday, 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., Healthy By Design Gardeners’ Market, South Park.
· Saturday, 9 a.m. to noon, Harvest Fest, Downtown Billings.
Monday, 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., Billings YMCA.
· Tuesday, noon to 2 p.m., Community Hall at Billings Public Library.
October 14, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., RiverStone Health, 123 S. 27^e St., in the four-story building.
October 19, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., City College, Tech Building, room A017.
· October 20, noon to 2 p.m. Community Hall at the Billings Public Library.
October 21, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., North Park.
October 22, 11 a.m. at 1 p.m., Terry Park.
October 27, 2 p.m. to 4 p.m., Community Hall, Billings Public Library.

The clinics listed above will offer the first and second doses and booster shots of the Pfizer vaccine, as well as the first and second doses of Moderna and the Johnson & Johnson single-dose vaccine to people 18 years of age and older. Third doses of Moderna and Pfizer vaccines are available for some immunocompromised people.

Only Pfizer two-dose vaccine is recommended for children 12 to 17 years old. Children will need a parent or guardian to sign their immunization consent form.

A limited number of vaccination appointments are available from the RiverStone Health vaccination clinic, phone 406.247.3382. More information on vaccination is published on covid.riverstonehealth.org.