Last week, the Missoula Health Department issued tighter restrictions on businesses and suggested a voluntary stay-at-home order after an alarming spike in COVID cases.
By November 12th, they hope to see no more than 25 new COVID cases per 100,000 people for two consecutive weeks, or one incubation period.
“Here's what we've seen,” said Health Officer Ellen Leahy, “We were at 51 cases per 100,000 at the tim the new restrictions went into effect, and we actually did, for a couple days, have the incidence rate drop into the 45, 46 area. But as of today, for a seven day average, we’re back up to 52.”
Leahy said it’ll be hard to completely measure our progress until November 12th when that two week incubation period has ended.
So, we wait, and in the meantime, Leahy asks for continued patience and compliance in order to keep schools open, maintain hospital access, and protect our most vulnerable.
“Our hospitalization rate continues to climb, and we do have two dozen deaths, so those are not good signs.”
Despite the urge to relax when around family and friends, Leahy also advised the public to stay diligent.
“People are so hungry to socialize and see their families, so it’s understandable that the temptation is there,” said Leahy, “but I do want to warn people that the risk of infection is much greater than it was just a few weeks ago.”
For information regarding Missoula's COVID numbers you can visit https://www.missoulainfo.com/
