Covering the Coronavirus Outbreak
A roundup of stories and information related to the impacts of coronavirus in Montana and the Flathead Valley
By Beacon Staff
Editor’s Note: As the scope of the coronavirus outbreak comes into focus and the disruptions to our daily lives mount, the Flathead Beacon remains dedicated to gathering the most up-to-date information possible. With rapid developments occurring globally, nationally and at the state and county levels, we can expect additional impacts to our health care and education systems, travel, commerce, and hospitality, as well as other social consequences that remain to be seen. In an effort to help readers easily find the information they need, the Beacon is curating its coverage of the pandemic here. If you don’t find what you’re looking for here or you have news to share, please contact us at [email protected] or call our office at (406) 257-9220. Additional Montana-related coronavirus information from the state health department can be found here.
The Beacon is also producing a podcast recapping the latest developments related to COVID-19. The most recent episode, recorded on Monday, April 27, is available here. You can subscribe to the podcast by searching “Flathead Beacon” on Apple, Google or wherever you get your podcasts.
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Development of COVID-19 Vaccine, Tests Advancing in Montana
University of Montana receives federal funding to further vaccine research; two private research firms involved in coronavirus work have ties to Whitefish venture capitalist Mike Goguen
Researchers at the University of Montana and two Missoula-based biotech companies with ties to venture capitalist Mike Goguen are engaged in separate efforts to develop a COVID-19 vaccine and gain authorization for a mass-scalable viral test.
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Behind the Scenes of a Pandemic
Members of the Flathead County incident management team bring experience from wildfire emergencies and other disasters to take on COVID-19
As a retired fire chief for the Blankenship Fire Department in Columbia Falls, Ed Burlingame is no stranger to emergencies or disasters.
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School Districts Preparing for ‘New Normal’ this Fall and Beyond
Gov. Steve Bullock gave schools the option to re-open on May 7 but local leaders say following safety guidelines and returning to traditional methods is a major challenge
The phased reopening of Montana that was announced last week gives school districts the option to welcome students and teachers back into their buildings as early as May 7, but superintendents throughout Northwest Montana are preparing for the likelihood that schools won’t be back to “normal” even when the 2020-21 academic year begins.
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Canadian Customers Dwindle in Eureka, Roosville Amid Border Restrictions
U.S.-Canada border will be closed for non-essential travel until at least late May; affected businesses worry about long-term impacts
Dave Clark has never seen it this quiet.
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Bullock Unveils Plans for Phased Reopening
Montana bars, restaurants and retail shops can begin to reopen in coming days and weeks, while schools will have option of resuming in-classroom teaching
Gov. Steve Bullock on Wednesday unveiled a blueprint to begin easing statewide restrictions set in place to slow the spread of coronavirus, allowing bars, restaurants and retail businesses to reopen with required protocols in the coming days and weeks while giving school districts the option to resume in-classroom teaching.
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The Road to Reopening
Concerns for health of staff, gateway communities, seasonal workers and visitors are complicating the reopening of national parks shuttered due to the coronavirus pandemic
As superintendent of Glacier National Park, Jeff Mow has grappled with wildfires and wayward bears, flash floods and fatal avalanches. He’s tangled with budget deficits and government shutdowns, climate change and record-setting throngs of visitors that stretch the park’s infrastructure to maximum capacity.
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Hospitals Reporting Steep Revenue Losses Due to COVID-19
State hospital leader calls Montana an “island of public-health success” with low infection rate, but response has come at financial cost
Health-care officials say Montana hospitals have been critical to a COVID-19 response that has kept the state’s per-capita infection rate among the lowest in the nation, but the flipside of that response for hospitals has been significant revenue declines.
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Local Governments See Challenges and Success in Shift to Online Meetings
A “Zoom bombing” mired a recent Columbia Falls City Council meeting, but governments are mostly reporting a smooth transition
Just like everyone, local municipal governments have had to take a crash course in online meeting platforms, with varying degrees of success.
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Bullock Announces Phased Reopening of Economy, Eased Restrictions
Montana plans to begin phased reopening following stay-at-home directive expiration on April 24
Gov. Steve Bullock announced on Friday that the state plans to begin a phased reopening of the Montana economy following the April 24 expiration of the stay-at-home order and other directives.
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Public Calls for Ouster of Physician from Flathead Health Board
Dr. Annie Bukacek protested Kalispell’s state-of-emergency declaration and says government exaggerated death toll from coronavirus
Controversy is intensifying over a physician serving on the Flathead City-County Board of Health who has openly defied state and local policies guarding against the coronavirus outbreak, prompting widespread calls for her removal and a petition demanding she be ousted from the appointed position.
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GPIA Airline Passenger Traffic Plummets to 20 Per Day
Glacier Park International Airport estimates steep drop in revenue, delays expansion project
Glacier Park International Airport is seeing significant drops in airline traffic and revenue amid the COVID-19 pandemic, echoing a nationwide trend.
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Businesses Shift to PPE Production
Local manufacturing companies are switching gears to make facemasks and face shields for frontline workers and the community
In 2016, Amanda and Colten Hart dove into the magical world of the wooden Harry Potter wand-making business, which later transitioned into furniture making. Fast forward to 2020, and they are now manufacturing facemasks.
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Faces of Resiliency
From teachers to grocers, the Flathead Valley adapts in a time of crisis
Every weekday morning, Pauline Davidson and her three children gather for breakfast and chat about their day. A few hours later, they break for lunch and do the same.
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Kalispell Regional Healthcare Furloughing Roughly 600 Employees
Hospital says COVID-19 pandemic causing steep revenue losses due to halted services, patient volume declines
Kalispell Regional Healthcare announced today that it will furlough roughly 600 employees beginning April 15 due to steep revenue declines resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Local Coalition Establishing Temporary Shelter for Valley’s Homeless Population
Samaritan House is maxed out amid increased demand; advocates worry about homelessness swelling long-term due to pandemic fallout
A local collaborative is finalizing the process to establish a temporary homeless shelter as demand rises at existing shelters in the wake of widespread closures and layoffs, and may increase further if and when a state moratorium on evictions and foreclosures expires.
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Shelters Report Increased Danger Levels for Domestic Violence
The Abbie Shelter has opened its Facebook page for survivors seeking help who can’t call while home with abusers; officials expect a surge in calls after pandemic
Since Montana’s stay-at-home order took effect on March 26, it’s left most people stuck at home to work remotely or homeschool their kids. But for some people, it also leaves them trapped and isolated in a home with their abuser.
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Churches Go Virtual for Easter
Alternative Easter egg hunts and online services helping churches stay connected to congregations during pandemic
After Easter egg hunts were canceled across the world to help flatten the COVID-19 curve, Associate Pastor John Weaver at Whitefish Assembly decided to apply his knowledge of 3D tours used in real estate to create a virtual egg hunt.
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On the Front Line
As local health experts stand sentry in preparation for a patient surge related to the spread of coronavirus, they’re counting on the community to flatten the curve
On a recent weekday afternoon, Dr. Jeffrey Tjaden sat at a narrow desk in a hospital waiting room, applied a liberal dose of hand sanitizer and swiveled into frame for a live on-camera question-and-answer session on Facebook. Dressed in shirtsleeves and a tie, a stethoscope slung around his neck, the infectious disease physician at Kalispell Regional Healthcare, and a member of the hospital’s newly minted COVID-19 incident command team, appeared at ease as he fielded questions from the community related to the coronavirus pandemic.
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Bullock Extends Stay-at-home Order by Two Weeks to Slow Spread of COVID-19
Order also pushes K-12 school closures by two weeks, extends other emergency measures until April 24
In an ongoing effort to slow the spread of coronavirus, Gov. Steve Bullock on Tuesday afternoon extended a stay-at-home order for all Montana residents until April 24, pushing his previous directive forward by two weeks while also stretching school closures and restrictions on non-essential businesses.
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Kalispell Declares State of Local Emergency
Ordinance allowing city to access emergency funding in response to COVID-19 draws protests
The City of Kalispell declared a state of local emergency after passing an ordinance in an 8-1 vote on Monday night in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Flathead County Reports Evidence of Community Spread
Local health officials have documented six cases of COVID-19 in which individuals had no known source of infection
Flathead City-County Health Department officials on Tuesday confirmed six cases of COVID-19 in which the individuals had no known source of infection, marking the first evidence of community spread in the area.
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State Health Department Expands Mental-Health Services Amid Surge in Calls
DPHHS increases funding for early crisis-intervention and suicide-prevention hotlines
The Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS) announced on April 1 an expansion of mental-health services to help Montanans during the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Whitefish Ordinance Restricts Reservations at Hotels, Short-term Rentals
Emergency rule is in response to ‘virus vacationers’ seeking refuge from coronavirus pandemic; exempts visitors on essential business
The Whitefish City Council on Sunday morning enacted an emergency ordinance prohibiting hotels and short-term rentals from accepting reservations for non-essential purposes through April 30, becoming the first city in Montana to do so and marking the municipality’s most dramatic step to date to halt the spread of coronavirus.
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Handoff of Libby Superfund Site Delayed by COVID-19
The federal government had originally planned to make the transfer April 1
The long-awaited handoff of a large section of the Libby Superfund site from federal to state control has been delayed by the coronavirus.
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Collaborating for Hand Sanitizer
Whistling Andy Distillery and The Good Stuff Botanicals in Bigfork have joined forces to create alcohol-based hand sanitizer
Even though Whistling Andy Distillery in Bigfork was forced to shut down its tasting room to customers in March as a coronavirus precaution, their phone has suddenly started ringing off the hook.
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Study: Whitefish Losses Total $732,000 Per Day Due to Coronavirus
Survey of local businesses estimates steep daily revenue loss, compares current figures to same time period last year
Even though local public health measures to curb the coronavirus pandemic are barely weeks old, the Whitefish business community is already losing more than $732,000 in daily revenue, according to a study released Tuesday, offering a snapshot of the downturn that local economies may have to endure for months to come.
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Creativity in a Time of Crisis
As a global pandemic halts routine life across the country and in the Flathead Valley, local artists soldier on entertaining the masses and helping their community
They had been preparing for the show for weeks when the entire world came to a screeching halt.
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Pandemic Upending Childcare Industry and Workforce that Depends on It
Widespread closures are disrupting families and employers; advocates worry the industry won’t recover and call for rethinking public childcare funding
In a March 11 letter to Congress, 39 organizations, including the nation’s most prominent childcare advocacy groups, requested emergency relief for the childcare industry to be included in the federal government’s COVID-19 stimulus package.
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Whitefish Asks Hotels, Short-Term Rentals to Stop Accepting Reservations
Data suggests people are seeking refuge from the pandemic in the Flathead Valley
Amid a growing concern that people from out of the area are seeking refuge from the COVID-19 pandemic in the Flathead Valley, the City of Whitefish is asking hotels, short-term rentals, and other lodging establishments to stop accepting reservations for non-essential visits through April 30.
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Suspended, Not Canceled High School Sports Season Gives Some Teams Hope
Montana High School Association has nixed practices and competitions through April 13; no final decision has been made on status of season
One of the cruelest twists, Abby Connolly says, is that this has been the perfect spring for high school sports.
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Flathead County Adopts All-Mail Ballot for June 2 Primary
All registered voters will receive their ballots beginning May 8, while mail-ballot registration runs through May 26
Flathead County officials on Monday adopted a resolution to hold the June 2 primary election using mail-only ballots in an effort to protect the health and safety of voters and poll workers amid the coronavirus outbreak.
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Some Local Businesses Hiring Amid Layoffs
Grocery stores, assisted-living facilities, chain restaurants among businesses in need of employees
While many businesses locally and nationwide are experiencing layoffs and reduced hours due to the COVID-19-caused closures, others are seeing increased employee demand or no changes at all.
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Flathead Avalanche Center Advises Extra Caution in the Backcountry
Avalanche forecasters urge recreationists to behave responsibly to avoid extra stress on the health care system
After the chairlifts quit spinning in Montana and across the nation earlier this month in an effort to reduce the spread of coronavirus, Flathead Avalanche Center forecasters have noticed an uptick in backcountry usage locally, which could cause additional hazards.
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Glacier National Park Closes to Visitors Until Further Notice
Announcement comes as Montana ramps up measures to slow spread of COVID-19
Glacier National Park is closed to visitors until further notice as cases of COVID-19 continue to rise in Montana, which a day earlier recorded the first death of a patient stricken with coronavirus.
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Flathead, Kootenai National Forests Close Campsites and Rental Cabins
Closures come amid escalating public health concerns surrounding COVID-19 outbreak
Developed campgrounds, restroom facilities, rental cabins and lookouts have been closed on both Flathead and Kootenai National Forest land as U.S. Forest Service officials respond to escalating public health concerns surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Bullock Issues Stay at Home Directive to Slow the Spread of COVID-19
Directive asks Montanans to stay home to maximum extent possible except for essential activities
Gov. Steve Bullock on Thursday issued a mandatory stay-at-home order for all residents of Montana while temporarily closing non-essential businesses, marking his most dramatic action to date in the ongoing effort slow the coronavirus pandemic in the state.
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Lincoln, Glacier Counties Report First Positive Cases of COVID-19
Health officials say COVID-19 is particularly concerning for those in Libby with asbestosis
Coronavirus is continuing to spread across the state and into more rural communities.
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Unemployment Filings, Social Service Demand Skyrocketing
Workers losing jobs and income as businesses close or alter operations, while facing new challenges of caring for kids while balancing work
In the wake of sweeping measures to combat COVID-19, businesses have shuttered or altered operations across the state, leaving thousands of employees without jobs and countless others with reduced income while straining social services with increased demand.
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Hospitality Industry Reels in Wake of Emergency Public Health Closures
Even as Flathead Valley restaurants, bars and hotels offer limited services, hundreds of workers have been displaced by coronavirus outbreak
As the ramifications of the novel coronavirus unfold in the U.S. and around the globe, emergency public health closures across Montana have dealt an immediate blow to local economies, leaving thousands of workers suddenly and unexpectedly displaced.
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State Extends School, Restaurant Closures Until April 10
As of Tuesday, there were 46 positive COVID-19 cases in the state of Montana, including four in Flathead County
In an effort to slow the spread of coronavirus, Gov. Steve Bullock on Tuesday extended the statewide closure of schools, bars, restaurants and other businesses in Montana until April 10.
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Economic Development Groups Offer Business Tips Amid Pandemic
As businesses wait for a federal stimulus package, economic development agencies recommend deferring payments, reducing costs
As officials continue to impose strict orders on social distancing in an effort to curb the spread of coronavirus, Montana’s businesses are shutting their doors and curtailing operations.
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Local Schools Preparing for Next Round of Closures
Teachers, administrators planning for remote learning at all grade levels if and when governor extends statewide school closures into April and beyond
Kalispell Public Schools Superintendent Mark Flatau paid a visit to Flathead High School last week, checking in on one of the largest buildings that the sprawling district operates.
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Two New Cases of Coronavirus Reported in Flathead County
Montana DPHHS announced a woman in her 30s and a man in his 50s both tested positive Monday
Two more people have tested positive for coronavirus in Flathead County on Monday, according to the Montana Department of Health and Human Services.
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Local Law Enforcement Alters Operations During Pandemic
Street officers were limiting their physical interactions with other people and jail visits have been temporarily suspended
Local law enforcement agencies are changing how they serve the public during the coronavirus pandemic.
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Mental Health During a Public-Health Crisis
Practitioners are offering telehealth and suggest structured activities, getting outside to cope with COVID-19 anxiety
As social distancing becomes the new norm and coronavirus-caused closures continue to rattle Montana, mental health professionals are responding to an uptick in anxiety and fear of what the uncertain future holds.
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Officials Describe Efforts to Curb Exposure After Flathead Confirms First COVID-19 Cases
KRH employee who tested positive for coronavirus potentially exposed 14 patients and nine employees; Illinois man had “limited contact”
A Kalispell Regional Healthcare employee who tested positive for COVID-19 after traveling out of state potentially exposed 14 patients and nine employees before he was instructed to quarantine at home, officials said Saturday, while an Illinois man who tested positive for the disease after visiting Montana had limited contact with the public and is resting in isolation.
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Two Men Diagnosed With Coronavirus in Flathead County
First cases of coronavirus detected in Northwest Montana; both individuals recently engaged in domestic, out-of-state travel
Two men have been diagnosed with the novel coronavirus in Flathead County, according to a press release from the Flathead City-County Health Department.
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Flathead Board of Health Orders Eateries, Gyms to Close Friday
Restaurants will be able to continue to provide take-out, delivery services
The Flathead City-County Health Board has voted to close all bars, restaurants and fitness centers to the public for at least 10 days in an effort to fight the coronavirus pandemic.
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Food Bank Inventories Dwindling Rapidly Due to Increased Demand, Supplier Shortages
Local food bank directors are asking for community financial support to make sure food doesn’t run out for those in need
Flathead Valley food banks are placing emergency orders and asking the public to make financial contributions as food inventories dwindle rapidly due to both skyrocketing demand and people clearing shelves at grocery stores, which diminishes critical supply sources for the nonprofits.
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New Coronavirus Cases Reported in Missoula, Gallatin Counties
There have been 12 confirmed cases in Montana since last week
On Wednesday evening, Bullock announced that a man in his 50s in Missoula County and a man in his 60s in Gallatin County both tested positive for the virus, also known as COVID-19.
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Local Health Care Facilities Bracing for Epidemic
Proactive community measures could help health care professionals avoid systemic overwhelm in the Flathead Valley
Even though Flathead County on Wednesday still hadn’t reported a single case of COVID-19, health care professionals are already feeling the full strain of the coronavirus pandemic as facilities grapple with limited testing capabilities and take stock of critical resources that could be exhausted with an influx of sickened patients.
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KRH Encourages Public to Visit COVID-19 Informational Page
Detailed source is updated regularly with health care resources, advice
Subjects include numerous aspects of the virus and local preparedness efforts, with easy-to-read infographics and information.
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Flathead County Commission Declares State of Emergency Over Coronavirus
Declaration will allow health department to access additional funding during outbreak
The Flathead County Commission voted unanimously to declare a state of emergency on Wednesday in response to the coronavirus outbreak.
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Glacier Modifies Operations Amid Coronavirus Outbreak
Apgar Visitor Center will be closed until further notice starting March 21
Glacier National Park is modifying its operations in an effort to keep employees, visitors and volunteers safe.
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Montana Confirms Two More Coronavirus Cases in Gallatin County
At least 10 people have tested positive in the state
Gov. Steve Bullock confirmed two additional positive coronavirus cases in Gallatin County on Wednesday morning, bringing the total to 10.
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U.S., Canada to Close Border to Nonessential Travel
Truck drivers and Canadian snowbirds, who live in the U.S. for part of the year and are returning to Canada, are among those expected to get an exemption
The U.S. and Canada have agreed to temporarily close their shared border to nonessential travel, President Donald Trump announced Wednesday as the two nations work to stem the spread of the coronavirus pandemic.
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State Extends Unemployment Benefits to Workers Impacted by Coronavirus
People without health insurance will still be able to get tested for coronavirus
Montanans furloughed or laid off due to the coronavirus outbreak will be able to apply for unemployment benefits, Gov. Steve Bullock announced Tuesday.
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School Districts, Food Banks Adjust to Ensure Access to Food
Food banks switching to outside distributions among other changes; schools serving meals to kids at designated locations
School districts and food banks are making adjustments in order to ensure that students and customers are able to continue accessing food while adhering to social-distancing protocol.
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Blacktail Mountain Ski Area Closes Amid Outbreak
Whitefish Mountain closed for season on Sunday
Blacktail Mountain Ski Area in Lakeside announced Tuesday that it was temporarily suspending all operations amid concerns about the coronavirus outbreak.
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Flathead County Urges Businesses to Alter Services During Coronavirus Outbreak
As of Tuesday there are still no confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Flathead County
Although there have been no known local cases of COVID-19 in Northwest Montana, Flathead County officials are urging businesses “to begin immediate preparations for alternative ways of performing day-to-day activities.”
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KRH Offers Free Virtual Appointments Until March 24
Hospital launches online service to address pandemic public health emergency
In light of the public health emergency caused by the coronavirus pandemic, Kalispell Regional Healthcare (KRH) is offering no-cost virtual health visits to provide support for those experiencing flu-like symptoms including fevers, dry coughs and fatigue.
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Flathead Health Officer to Ask Commissioners for Emergency Declaration
Health officer said county has not considered forcing bars, restaurants to close
The public health official leading the local response to the coronavirus pandemic will ask the Flathead County Commission to declare a state of emergency this week.
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Bullock on COVID-19 Outbreak: ‘The Time to Act is Now’
As of Monday afternoon, there were still only six presumptive cases of coronavirus in the state
Montana Gov. Steve Bullock said Monday that while the statewide measures to slow the spread of coronavirus may seem extreme, he believes they are necessary to save lives from the infection that has rapidly spread around the globe.
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Spring Sports, Activities Suspended Indefinitely
MHSA will “reevaluate” season on April 13; spring sports practices began on March 9
The Montana High School Association announced on March 16 that it’s suspending all spring sports and activities through at least April 13 due to the COVID-19 outbreak.
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Bullock Directs Schools to Close for Two Weeks as Coronavirus Spreads
State also recommends that all gatherings with more than 50 people be canceled
Schools across Montana will be closed for two weeks, from March 16-27, in an effort to stop the spread of COVID-19, the virus that has spread around the globe and dramatically altered American life in just a matter of days.
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Whitefish Mountain Resort to Close for Season
As COVID-19 virus spreads, officials decide to close ski resort three weeks early
Whitefish Mountain Resort has closed for the season as fear of the coronavirus pandemic continues to sweep the nation.
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State Basketball Tournaments Canceled After Coronavirus Cases Confirmed
Tournaments at four sites held games on Thursday and Friday; finalists will be declared co-champions
The Montana High School Association canceled the remainder of the Class AA, A, B and C state basketball tournaments late Friday night, hours after the state confirmed its first four cases of the novel coronavirus, or COVID-19.
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Assisted-Living, Nursing Facilities Implement Coronavirus Measures
KRH also announces expansion of visitor restrictions at KRMC, The HealthCenter and North Valley Hospital
Senior-care institutions in the Flathead Valley have implemented measures — including restricting visitors — to protect elderly residents amid the coronavirus pandemic.
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Two People Test Positive for Coronavirus in Missoula County
At least six people in Montana have tested positive for coronavirus in the last 24 hours
Two people in Missoula County were believed to have tested positive for coronavirus, Gov. Steve Bullock announced on March 14.
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Montana Confirms First Coronavirus Cases
Gov. Bullock on March 13 confirmed four presumptively positive coronavirus cases in Gallatin, Yellowstone, Silver Bow, and Lewis and Clark counties
Gov. Steve Bullock on March 13 said Montana’s public health department has confirmed the first positive cases of the novel coronavirus, or COVID-19, documented so far in the state.
According to a press release from Bullock’s office, there were four presumptively positive cases in the counties of Gallatin, Yellowstone, Silver Bow, and Lewis and Clark.