BILLINGS — Yellowstone County health officials reported Friday that COVID-19 related illness has caused the death of another county resident
RiverStone Health states that a man in his 80s died at a Billings hospital. His death brings the number of Yellowstone County lives taken by the pandemic to 232.
“Although our COVID-19 case counts have decreased from a peak in November, the virus remains active in our community, causing severe illness and death,” said John Felton, Yellowstone County Health Officer and President & CEO of RiverStone Health. “I offer sincere condolences to the family of the man who died Thursday.”
“To reduce death, disability and illness from this pandemic, everyone needs to do their part to help slow the spread,” Felton said. “Please wear a mask when you are in public or within six feet of someone who doesn’t live with you, keep your distance, wash your hands and stay home if you are sick.”
Safe, effective vaccines against COVID-19 are in short supply for now, the press release states. RiverStone Health and the Unified Health Command (Billings Clinic, St. Vincent Healthcare and Yellowstone County Disaster and Emergency Services) are holding free, community vaccine clinics next week at Cedar Hall at MetraPark. Appointments are required and can be made online at mtreadyclinic.org.
These clinics are open to Yellowstone County residents in the 1A and 1B priority groups, including healthcare workers, first responders, people age 70 and older, people age 16 to 69 who have medical conditions that put them at higher risk for severe COVID-19 illness and Native Americans and other people of color who may be at high risk for severe COVID-19 illness.
COVID-19 information is updated regularly online at covid.riverstonehealth.org.