Montana Vaccine Rollout Will Continue Into Summer
Ravalli County Public Health reported 13 new positive tests for COVID-19 in the valley Tuesday, with 114 active cases as of Wednesday afternoon, January 13. Director Tiffany Weber is asking for patience from the public as the county deals with a very limited supply of vaccine. She reported that Public Health has inoculated 150 people in the initial 1A and 1B phases of vaccine distribution. However, there are other providers and pharmacies in the valley who will be receiving and administering vaccines. A new Ravalli County website, currently under construction, will have links to those facilities. Weber hoped to have it up and running within days.
Phone Calls Overwhelm Ravalli County Public Health
Over 2,600 phone calls were received by Ravalli County Public Health Monday, asking about COVID-19 vaccines and vaccination appointments, according to Director Tiffany Webber. She urged people to not call any Ravalli County office about vaccine information - including Public Health, the Emergency Operations Center or other offices.
There have been only 200 doses of vaccine received by the county so far, Webber said in a news release Monday afternoon. That supply of vaccines has been reserved for the initial 1a and 1b categories of the CDC vaccination inoculation schedule. Most of those inoculations have happened. She has no official word on when future vaccine supplies will be received. When information becomes available, the office will share it with the community, but she expects that at the current rate of distribution it will take up to 6 months to complete the vaccination process in Ravalli County.
Ravalli County Sheriff Issues a Timely Letter to the Public
Ravalli County Sheriff Steve Holton published a personal letter from himself and his office to the citizens of Ravalli County, but residents of Missoula and the entire state and country can take comfort and encouragement from his words.
Here is the letter in it’s entirety as it was published online on Sunday afternoon, with permission from Sheriff Holton.
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Happy New Year from the Ravalli County Sheriff s Office.
While everyone is looking to put 2020 behind us and excited for what 2021 will bring, we cannot forget that the circumstances and risks of 2020 did not go away at midnight on December 31st. However I have confidence in Ravalli County and our communities. We are going to survive the current COVID pandemic, but we must be cautious not to lose our sense of community and compassion for each other.
Health Officials Urge Patience About COVID-19 Vaccinations
Ravalli County and Missoula County Public Health Departments have been overwhelmed with phone calls about COVID-19 vaccination schedules. And both departments are asking the public to quit calling. Instead, Ravalli County Public Health Director Tiffany Webber said that in Ravalli County, the staff has started an online appointment and waiting list for those who are requesting appointments.
The Ravalli County vaccinations have started for the healthcare workers and first responders, but there is a limited supply. Webber said that as the department works to coordinate an efficient distribution program, they are starting an online way for you to request information and possible appointments. The email address is: rcpublichealth@rc.mt.gov
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