Flathead reports 9 more virus deaths

The Flathead City-County Health Department on Wednesday confirmed nine additional COVID-19-related deaths of individuals in Flathead County.

According to health department officials, five of the fatalities are associated with an unnamed long-term care facility.

It's unclear whether those deaths are associated with an ongoing outbreak at the Brendan House in Kalispell. However, Wednesday morning a spokesperson for the facility confirmed via email that six residents have died from COVID-19-related issues thus far, which is the same number that was provided late last week.

The nine deaths bring the total number of COVID-19-related deaths in Flathead County up to 39. A large portion of those have been associated with outbreaks at various long-term care facilities throughout the area.

“We extend our greatest sympathies to all friends and family affected by these deaths,” said Tamalee St. James Robinson, Interim Health Officer of health department. “We ask all Flathead residents to do their part to mitigate the spread of the virus to protect our vulnerable loved ones.”

Statewide there have been 652 virus-related deaths. According to state data, 152 of those deaths have been reported in the last 10 days.

Statewide, there were 462 people hospitalized with the virus. Benefis Health in Great Falls and St. James Healthcare in Butte had more than 90% of its beds occupied, according to a Nov. 24 report. Billings Clinic, Bozeman Health Deaconess, St. Peters Health in Helena and St. Vincent Health Care in Billings were between 70% and 90% of capacity.

There were 2,254 active cases of the virus in Flathead County on Wednesday, including 23 hospitalizations.

On Monday, more than 100 contracted medical staff arrived in Montana to assist hospitals in responding to the spike in COVID-19 cases.

The health care workers are part of an anticipated total of 200 to be deployed in the state by Thanksgiving and who will remain until the end of the year, according to Gov. Steve Bullock's office.

Most nurses were assigned to Benefis Health System, Billings Clinic and St. Vincent Healthcare in Billings, and Kalispell Regional Medical Center.

Earlier this month, Kalispell Regional Healthcare became one of a handful of hospitals in the state to receive support from the Montana National Guard. Seven soldiers and airmen arrived Nov. 7 to help health-care workers with non-medical tasks.