Community Update: COVID-19
The Montana Department of Public Health has recently announced the first
presumptive positive case of COVID-19 in Ravalli County. I want our community
to know that we have a team of experts working around the clock to keep
our community, patients, and caregivers safe.
As this situation evolves, one of our top priorities is to ensure that
we keep our caregivers safe and our facilities operational. Over the last
few days, we have taken steps to reduce visitor access, reschedule unnecessary
patient encounters, restrict facility access, and preserve personal protective
equipment. As the situation evolves, you will see additional steps taken
to ensure the safety of our caregivers and patients. It is imperative
at this time that our community comes together to help slow the spread
of COVID-19.
Recent decisions at the federal and state level will aide our hospitals
and health systems in their response and treatment of patients both with
and those free of COVID-19. These steps are only as effective as our commitment
and adherence to those directives. Each of us must do our part.
The most significant risk associated with COVID-19 is overwhelming your
local healthcare resources. Our message is simple. Unless you are seeking
care at our facilities, please stay home. Unless your condition requires
medical attention, please stay home. If your symptoms are mild, please
call your primary care physician or local public health department to
discuss the next steps.
Last of all, please stay calm and stay informed. COVID-19 is a new condition,
and we are still learning how it behaves and how to treat patients best.
Rely upon official sources of information such as the CDC or Montana DPHHS
and for local COVID-19 information Ravalli Public Health Department and
your hospital.
Thank you,
John Bishop, CEO
Marcus Daly Memorial Hospital