Covid-19 cases drop dramatically; but flu kills two

Hungry Horse News

The number of Covid-19 cases across the state and the Flathead Valley has taken a sharp turn downward, but the Flathead City-County Health Department last week was warning people about the normal influenza, where two people have died in recent weeks.

According to the state Heath Department, there are about 63 active Covid-19 cases in the county. During the Omicron surge, there were more than 3,100 active cases in one day on Jan. 18 statewide.

The state considers 266,922 people “recovered” from the disease, with 3,208 total deaths since the start of the pandemic.

All told, 11,700 people were hospitalized.

In School District 6, 89 staffers came down with Covid-19 this school year according to School District 6 figures, or 28%.

The student body was lower — about 170, though not all students were tested. Protocols for the illness among students was to simply stay home from school.

Now the usual flu has become a problem.

Two influenza deaths have been reported in Flathead County residents over the age of 65, the health health department said last week.

“With confirmed influenza present in Flathead County, it is now more important than ever to get vaccinated,” the city-county health department said in a release. Like Covid-19, they urged folks to get vaccinated, particularly folks over 65, those with pre-existing health conditions, and children younger than 2.

“Influenza can be a serious illness that leads to complications and death in some cases,” said Joe Russell, Health Officer of the Flathead City-County Health Department. “We recommend that all eligible individuals receive a flu vaccination to protect themselves and their families.”

The influenza vaccine is available by appointment at the Flathead City-County Health Department. To schedule, call 406-751-8110.