Following is a Gallatin Cituy-County Health Department press release:
With information learned about four new cases of COVID-19 confirmed in Gallatin County on Saturday, the Gallatin-City County Health Department (GCCHD) is stressing that now more than ever, we need to collectively continue to take actions to slow down the spread of this disease.
Four additional cases of COVID-19 were confirmed in Gallatin County on Saturday, March 21, 2020, bringing the county’s total to eight cases.
Unlike the previous cases reported in the county, these four patients have had no known travel history, exposure to someone who travelled, or exposure to known COVID-19 cases.
These new cases indicate that there is evidence of community transmission in Gallatin County. Community transmission means the spread of an illness for which the source of infection is unknown or cannot be directly traced back to a known exposure.
GCCHD’s communicable disease team has been in touch with all of these cases and are currently conducting contact investigations to minimize additional transmission. All patients have had mild symptoms and have been isolated. And those who had close contacts with the patients have been quarantined.
“We understand that this may be concerning to hear and we anticipated this day would come,” said Matt Kelley, Health Officer for GCCHD, “We stress again that now is the time to take strong action, and this underlines the importance of the restrictions and closures GCCHD and the governor have put into place to limit the spread of this disease.”
Limit contact with groups of people, whether you’re sick or not and maintain social distancing when in public as much as possible. Stay home whenever possible, except for your essential needs. Self-isolate when you are sick, even with mild symptoms. Continue to frequently wash your hands with soap and water and regularly clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces. Work from home if possible. Self-quarantine for 14 days if you’ve recently returned home from international travel.
“Remember, one of our primary goals is to flatten the curve and limit the number of new cases so as not to overwhelm medical resources,” Kelley said.
Everyone should be assured that public and private agencies are working hard to provide a high-level response to this pandemic. We need the community and individuals to continue to take personal responsibility.
Public health officials launched a seven-day-a-week hotline for questions about COVID-19. It can be reached at 406-548-0123.
The most accurate local source of information remains the GCCHD website https://www.healthygallatin.org/coronavirus-covid-19/.