Shelby hospital resumes services as outbreak stabilizes

After stabilizing the number of coronavirus-positive patients in need of treatment, the Marias Medical Center in Shelby has once again started offering various outpatient services.

According to a press release, the service lines reopened on Friday and include rehabilitation, radiology and respiratory therapy. This is phase one of the center’s reopening after Toole County quickly became one of Montana’s hardest-hit areas during the outbreak.

“We have been greatly impacted by COVID-19 in our county and we will get through this, we know that there have been some hard days,” the press release stated. “We look forward to seeing our patients and thank you for choosing us as your trusted health-care choice.”

Toole County, which has a population of less than 5,000 residents, experienced a cumulative total of 29 confirmed coronavirus cases with six of these resulting in fatalities.

The area experienced a surge in positive cases after the virus swept through an assisted-living facility in Shelby. However, the county now has only nine active cases, and according to a recent press release from the Toole County Health Department, only one of those individuals is hospitalized.

The county hasn’t reported a new confirmed positive since April 17.

“Caring for our community while keeping our patients, residents and employees safe has been our primary focus during this pandemic,” the press release states. “We are following guidance from the government and public health officials to ensure that we are taking appropriate measures to safely begin to provide these services again to our community.”

Although certain services are once again being offered, several safety practices that have been underway at the center will remain in place until further notice. These include visitor restrictions at the Marias Medical Center and Marias Heritage Center, screening for all employees, patients and essential visitors, social distancing within the facilities and the separation of patients with known or suspected COVID-19 symptoms.

Marias Medical Center staff and the Toole County Health Department will continue to evaluate daily operational needs as the facility phases in other services.

Reporter Kianna Gardner can be reached at 758-4407 or kgardner@dailyinterlake.com