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Montana will progress to Phase 2 of the Governor’s reopening plan on June 1st. Phase 2 allows for expanded capacity in restaurants, bars, casinos, retail businesses, personal care providers, gyms, movie theaters and museums, while maintaining restrictions to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in our community. Groups of 50 people or fewer may convene, though social distancing is recommended. All guidance documents and checklists for #ReopenRichlandCounty are available at www.richland.org/rchd , by clicking on the COVID-19 related tabs. Documents ca...
Montana remains in Phase One of the Governor’s reopening plan. Governor Bullock has not provided a specific date that Montana will progress into the second phase. Currently, restaurants, bars, casinos, retail businesses, personal care providers, gyms, movie theaters and museums are open with restrictions to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in our community. Many organized activities have resumed with restrictions. All guidance documents and checklists for #ReopenRichlandCounty are available at www.richland.org/rchd, by clicking on the COVID-19 re...
COVID-19 Update: Richland County currently has no active positive cases of COVID-19. Three individuals have been released from home isolation and are considered recovered. Testing is conducted through a healthcare provider. Public health follow-up with those tested is ongoing. Richland County is following the Governor’s guidelines for reopening in Phase One. Retail businesses, including salons and other personal care services, were opened April 27, with restaurants opening for dine-in service on May 4. These openings include restrictions to e...
COVID-19 UPDATE: Richland County currently has no active positive cases of COVID-19. Three individuals have been released from home isolation and are considered recovered. Testing is conducted through a healthcare provider. Public health follow-up with those tested is ongoing. Richland County is following the Governor’s guidelines for reopening in Phase One. Retail businesses, including salons and other personal care services, were opened April 27, with restaurants opening for dine-in service on May 4th. These openings include restrictions to e...
Now that Richland County has three confirmed positive cases of COVID-19, many are asking the question, “So what now? What happens when someone is positive?” Let’s take a step back, and start with what happens when someone is tested. So what happens when a person is tested? Once a person is tested, they will be instructed to stay home and quarantine while they await their test results. The tested person should not leave to run any errands. Public health officials will instruct the person to begin making a list of potential close contacts. Facto...
The Richland County Health Department is asking for your assistance in ensuring that Richland County is able to sustain an economic recovery and protect staff and community members. The Health Department has created a webpage where you will find several documents for guidance in reopening your business. Note that while you are highly encouraged to submit your plans for reopening, the checklist is voluntary for retail businesses. Licensed establishments, such as those that serve food and drinks, as well as tattoo and piercing establishments,...
On April 7, 2020, the Richland County Health Department was notified by the Montana State Public Health Laboratory of a positive case of 2019 novel coronavirus (COVID-19) in an individual residing in Richland County. The individual is a male in his 40s. The case investigation is ongoing. The Richland County case was tested at Sidney Health Center. In accordance with Federal law, the Department will not release any other identifying information about the positive case to protect the individual’s personal privacy. COVID-19 Update: Richland County...
The Richland County Board of Health has reviewed and approved an order adopting Governor Steve Bullock’s recent directive to shelter in place. The order, released by County Attorney Janet Christoffersen’s office, solidifies Health Officer and local Nurse Practitioner Jacquelyn Free’s stance on social distancing and sheltering in place. “Due to the rapid spread of COVID 19, it is imperative that the citizens do not take the ‘shelter in place’ order lightly. In order to reduce exposure to the virus, you have to reduce your socializati...
Governor Steve Bullock issued an order on March 30 requiring those travelling to Montana from another state or country to self-quarantine for 14 days. With the turn of the seasons, this has implications for our local folks returning from their winter homes in the South. The March 30 order applies to those who come to stay in Montana for any period of time for non-work related purposes, which includes those fondly referred to as "snowbirds", to self-quarantine for 14 days upon their arrival. The...
On April 7, 2020, the Richland County Health Department was notified by the Montana State Public Health Laboratory of a positive case of 2019 novel coronavirus (COVID-19) in an individual residing in Richland County. The individual is a male in their 40's. The case investigation is ongoing. The Richland County case was tested at Sidney Health Center. In accordance with Federal law, the Department will not release any other identifying information about the positive case to protect the individual...
COVID-19 UPDATE: On the evening of April 7, 2020, the Richland County Health Department was notified by the Montana State Public Health Laboratory of a second positive case of 2019 novel coronavirus (COVID-19) in an individual residing in Richland County. Positive cases are as follows: Case 1: A male in his 40’s who is not hospitalized. The case is believed to have been acquired through domestic travel, though the case investigation is ongoing. Case 2: A female in her 50’s who is not hospitalized. The case investigation is ongoing. The sec...
COVID-19 UPDATE: Richland County currently has three positive cases of COVID-19. The case information is as follows: Case 3: A female in her 30’s who is not hospitalized. The case investigation is ongoing. Case 2: A female in her 50’s who is not hospitalized. The case investigation is ongoing. Case 1: A male in his 40’s who is not hospitalized. The case is believed to have been acquired through domestic travel, though the case investigation is ongoing. In accordance with Federal law, the Department will not release any other identifying infor...
Social distancing is the physical separation of people in an effort to prevent the spread of disease in a community. It has been shown that social distancing in the early stages of an outbreak is effective in preventing or slowing the spread of communicable disease. While it may be tempting to treat school and work closures as a well-needed vacation, it is extremely important for Richland County residents to respect social distancing recommendations, and stay home as much as possible during this time. This means that families should limit...
Even Ler homesteaded in what is now rural Savage in 1910 marking the beginning of more than a century of family farming, carried on now by grandsons, Matt and David Ler. Born and raised in Norway, Even Ler chased adventure to America in 1907, and made his way toward Montana. Enticed by free land to be had under Homestead Act, Even was granted a certificate of register for the south half of Section 10, Township 20, north of Range 57, on June 22, 1910. The deed was later finalized in 1916. Shortly after arriving in Montana, Even set up a...
Fellowship Church, Sidney, recently made a donation to Sidney Public Schools to pay off student lunch account debts. Giving back to the community is not a new concept for Fellowship Church, which has run Fellowship Food Pantry since 2008, serving over 600 individual clients each year. “Paying it forward is a needed slogan today. If God blesses us with something, we want to use it to bless others as much as possible. We have our food pantry, too. It’s just about trying to take care of people’s needs,” said Pastor Jordan Hall. The church and all...
Social distancing is the physical separation of people in an effort to prevent the spread of disease in a community. It has been shown that social distancing in the early stages of an outbreak is effective in preventing or slowing the spread of communicable disease. While it may be tempting to treat school and work closures as a well-needed vacation, it is extremely important for Richland County residents to respect social distancing recommendations, and stay home as much as possible during...
The Richland County Health Department is advancing efforts to prevent coronavirus in our community. “Right now, we are a step ahead of coronavirus. We don’t have cases here yet. We want to make it slow to get here, to protect our vulnerable populations, and allow us more time to have a coordinated response. We’re not sick, and we’re trying not to get sick,” said Julie Brodhead, RN, communicable disease nurse at the Health Department. On Thursday, March 12, Governor Steve Bullock declared a state of emergency in Montana. “The emergency o...
On January 31, Judy LaPan ended a chapter of her career in public health, after 22 years of service as Administrator of the Richland County Health Department. LaPan began at the Department in 1998, during a time where most rural health departments had few full-time staff, if any. Recognizing the need for and value of public health services, LaPan broadened the scope of the Health Department, moving from mainly individualized services to population-based programs, including disease surveillance,...
The Richland County Health Department has opened an information line for local residents with specific questions about the outbreak of coronavirus, also known as COVID-19, as well as a website with important links. At this time, there are still no cases in Montana. The purpose of the information line is to answer questions about COVID-19 and provide guidance to Richland County residents on ways to prevent, prepare and respond to the outbreak. The line will be monitored by knowledgeable staff who may answer calls or return messages. The...
There is no recommendation at this time that those returning from domestic travel need to stay home upon return. Those who have travelled should monitor their health for the 14 days following their return. This means taking their temperature, and being alert for any other symptoms of COVID-19 including a cough or difficulty breathing. If the person develops symptoms during that time, they should contact the Health Department Information Line at 406-433-6947, and stay home until they receive additional instructions. If the person is sick enough...
Even Ler homesteaded in what is now rural Savage in 1910 marking the beginning of more than a century of family farming, carried on now by grandsons, Matt and David Ler. Born and raised in Norway, Even Ler chased adventure to America in 1907, and made his way toward Montana. Enticed by free land to be had under Homestead Act, Even was granted a certificate of register for the south half of Section 10, Township 20, north of Range 57, on June 22, 1910. The deed was later finalized in 1916. Shortly...
The Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services announced over the weekend that Montana is no longer in the minority of states without positive cases of COVID-19. Six individuals in Montana have tested positive for COVID-19 at the state laboratory. The positive cases were in Gallatin, Yellowstone, Silverbow and Broadwater Counties. Each of the cases had either a history of international travel, or domestically to Washington State. All four patients self-quarantined, had minimal contact with the public, and are recovering at home....
Though there are currently no cases of the novel coronavirus in Montana and North Dakota, and there are no persons under investigation, the Richland County Health Department and Sidney Health Center have spent several weeks making preparations for its potential arrival. “We are working closely with our state health department, Sidney Health Center, and other community partners to ensure we are prepared to protect the public in the event of a positive case or cases in Richland County,” said Brittney Petersen, MS, Administrator of Richland Cou...
The Richland County Health Department has opened an information line for local residents with specific questions about the outbreak of coronavirus, also known as COVID-19, as well as a website with important links. At this time, there are still no cases in Montana. The purpose of the information line is to answer questions about COVID-19 and provide guidance to Richland County residents on ways to prevent, prepare and respond to the outbreak. The line will be monitored by knowledgeable staff...
On Thursday, March 12, Governor Steve Bullock declared a state of emergency in Montana. “The emergency order puts our state on the highest alert — recognizing, though, that now still is the time to continue to plan, not panic,” Bullock said in a news conference. The Health Department is recommending that people begin practicing social distancing. Social distancing is a prevention effort where community members physically separate from each other to prevent or slow the spread of disease. It has been shown that social distancing in the early...
