Missoula Reports 146 Positive COVID Tests Each Day Last Week

KGVO has learned from the Missoula City County Health Department that there was an average of 146 positive COVID tests reported every day last week.

KGVO is waiting for a call from a very busy health department for more details about how the Omicron variant has been sweeping through the area.

At Townsquare media, several of our staff members (including me) have either tested positive or has had a family member test positive, and so many of us are working from home this week.

Our news partners at NBC Montana have reported that Big Sky High School will switch to remote learning for Wednesday and Thursday due to a combination of staff shortages and students out with the virus.

KGVO will speak with MCPS Superintendent Rob Watson at 3:00 p.m. for a more accurate picture of the public schools situation. We are also awaiting a call from the Missoula City County Health Department for further details about the virus outbreak in Missoula.

The CDC has differing recommendations for those who have been fully vaccinated and those who have not been fully vaccinated.

If you were exposed to COVID-19 and are NOT up-to-date on COVID-19 vaccinations

• Stay home and quarantine for at least 5 full days.
• Wear a well-fitted mask if you must be around others in your home.
• Even if you don’t develop symptoms, get tested at least 5 days after you last had close contact with someone with COVID-19.

After quarantine:

• Watch for symptoms until 10 days after you last had close contact with someone with COVID-19.

If you develop symptoms:

• Isolate immediately and get tested. Continue to stay home until you know the results. Wear a well-fitted mask around others.
• Wear a well-fitted mask for 10 full days any time you are around others inside your home or in public. Do not go to places where you are unable to wear a mask.
• Avoid travel, and avoid being around people who are at high risk.

Now,

If you were exposed to COVID-19 and are up-to-date on COVID-19 vaccinations

• You do not need to stay home unless you develop symptoms.
• Even if you don’t develop symptoms, get tested at least 5 days after you last had close contact with someone with COVID-19.
• Watch for symptoms until 10 days after you last had close contact with someone with COVID-19.

If you develop symptoms:

• Isolate immediately and get tested. Continue to stay home until you know the results. Wear a well-fitted mask around others.
• Wear a well-fitted mask for 10 full days any time you are around others inside your home or in public. Do not go to places where you are unable to wear a mask.
• Avoid travel
• Avoid being around people who are at high risk.

And, finally,

If you were exposed to COVID-19 and had confirmed COVID-19 within the past 90 days (you tested positive using a viral test)

• You do not need to stay home unless you develop symptoms.
• Watch for symptoms until 10 days after you last had close contact with someone with COVID-19.

If you develop symptoms;

• Isolate immediately and get tested. Continue to stay home until you know the results. Wear a well-fitted mask around others.
• Wear a well-fitted mask for 10 full days any time you are around others inside your home or in public. Do not go to places where you are unable to wear a mask.
• Avoid travel
• Avoid being around people who are at high risk.

These are the recommendations from the CDC.