HAMILTON — Local health officials reported four newly confirmed COVID-19 cases on Monday afternoon, bringing the active case total in the Bitterroot to 19.
Karyn Johnston with Ravalli County Public Health says two of the new cases are contacts of other cases and the other two are community-acquired.
Johnston noted that some of the previous cases we have reported on are recovered and out of isolation. The currently active cases are being seen in Darby, Corvallis, Hamilton and Stevensville.
Two cases are hospitalized and all of the cases are in isolation and their contacts are in quarantine.
Johnston says that through contact tracing, there are over 150 people in quarantine as they have been determined to be close contacts.
It's also been determined Ravalli County has community spread of COVID-19 since several cases cannot be traced back to another positive case.
People who are diagnosed with COVID-19 will be contacted by a case investigator from the health department to check-in on health, discuss who the person has been in contact with, and ask where they have spent time while they may have been infectious and able to spread COVID-19 to others.
People will also be asked to stay at home and self-isolate. Johnston also notes that names will not be revealed to those who may have exposed, even if they ask.
Self-isolation means staying at home in a specific room away from other people and pets and using a separate bathroom, if possible.
Additionally, Johnston notes that self-isolation helps slow the spread of COVID-19 and can help keep family, friends, neighbors, and others healthy.
People with questions about COVID-19 can contact Ravalli County Public Health at (406) 375-6672.