Kalispell Regional Healthcare officials report a second worker has tested positive for COVID-19. This positive test comes after KRH announced last week that a health care worker had tested positive for the coronavirus.
The employeee is currently recovering at home in isolation for the next 14 days.
The employee had traveled out of Montana from March 12th through March 16th.
On March 17th the employee returned to work and did not have symptoms. The next day they were screened and had minor symptoms including a slight runny nose and occasional cough.
Thursday, March 19th, there was no change in symptoms and she worked a full shift. Friday she was not scheduled to work and she had no change in her symptoms. On Saturday, March 21st, her symptoms had not worsened or changed.
The friend she stayed with during her out-of-state travel contacted her and told her she had been in contact with a positive COVID-19 case and the friend she stayed with was having symptoms.
She suggested the employee may need to be tested for COVID-19 and she was tested while at work. Monday, March 23rd, a positive test was reported to KRH by the Flathead City-County Health Department.
The appropriate detailed surveillance, interventions, and containment strategies are under way and as before all the appropriate steps will be taken.
As a reminder and as a part of our investigation, anyone who meets the surveillance criteria for contact with this employee will be notified, sent home for quarantine and tested should symptoms arise.
KRH has sent in over 150 tests and 2 have come back positive. Beyond KRH, the Flathead Valley has 2 additional positives bringing the total to 4 COVID-19 cases in Flathead Valley.