Long-term care facility in Kalispell reports six COVID-related deaths

As of Friday afternoon, six residents at Brendan House have died from COVID-19-related complications as the long-term care facility in Kalispell continues to battle an outbreak that has infected the vast majority of its residents.

According to Mellody Sharpton, spokesperson for Kalispell Regional Healthcare, the parent entity of Brendan House, there are currently 50 active cases at the facility. All of these individuals are in isolation and are being closely monitored by staff.

Since the first positive cases were detected on Nov. 4, several Brendan House residents have been admitted to Kalispell Regional Medical Center for COVID-19-related issues. Sharpton said so far, all of those who have been hospitalized have returned to the facility.

Last week, Sharpton said Brendan House had gone nearly eight months without a single positive case among residents.

“We unfortunately could not escape the surge of COVID-19 in the Flathead that continues to impact our community,” she said via email.

According to a press release from Flathead City-County Health Department, which was also released Friday, Flathead County’s total number of COVID-19-related deaths is now up to 30.

In a prepared statement, Interim Health Officer Tamalee St. James Robinson said, “we send our deepest sympathies to all loved ones impacted by these deaths.”

To date, the majority of Flathead County’s deaths have stemmed from outbreaks in long-term care facilities. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, individuals over the age of 65 are considered high-risk for COVID-19, meaning they are more likely to develop serious complications when infected.

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