Missoula Health Department

Samples have "skyrocketed" in recent weeks

The company has completely reviewed training and conducted health tests at all locations

The COVID pandemic in Missoula seems to be winding down, although the staff at the Missoula City County Health Department remains vigilant in case a new variant emerges.

Missoula City County Health Director D’Shane Barnett spoke to KGVO News on Thursday on a variety of subjects, starting with COVID hospitalization and death rates between the vaccinated and unvaccinated.

In a conversation with Missoula City County Health Department Director D’Shane Barnett late Tuesday afternoon, he said that the new Omicron variant is literally ‘blowing Delta out of the water’ in Missoula’s COVID case numbers.

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.

The Missoula City County Health Department released a ZOOM conversation with several local physicians regarding the new Omicron variant, COVID vaccinations and other related topics.

The National Weather Service, in conjunction with the Missoula City County Health Department has declared that an Air Stagnation Advisory is now in effect in the Missoula valley.

The Missoula City County Health Department is now strongly encouraging all residents to start wearing masks when indoors, and to upgrade the kinds of masks worn by adults and children.

The Missoula City County Health Department and Incident Commander Cindy Farr informed KGVO News on Tuesday afternoon that the first Omicron Variant case had been reported in Missoula.

The Missoula City County Health Department announced on Thursday that COVID 19 booster vaccines are now available for 16 and 17 year-olds.

Monday was the first day that children age 5 to 11 could be vaccinated against COVID 19, and the Missoula City County Health Department hosted a special clinic just for children at their Southgate Mall location.