New: Free at-home COVID-19 tests from the federal government now available
Just in time for the holidays, all households in the U.S. are eligible for four free at home tests shipped from the USPS.
Did you test positive for COVID-19 using an at-home test? Report your test results here!
If you test positive for COVID-19 using a commercially available self-administered test, you should self-report your positive test results to LCPH by filling out this form. Once submitted, you may receive a follow up call or email from LCPH to further discuss your results. Please note, this form does NOT work with the Internet Explorer web browser. We recommend using Chrome or Firefox.
Please note, individuals who test positive for COVID-19 should begin isolation immediately. To learn more about how to identify close contacts, consult this document.
You do not need to report negative test results; however, individuals who test negative and have symptoms of COVID-19 should schedule a PCR test with their healthcare provider. For more information and to find testing locations, visit our COVID-19 Hub.
This is a HIPAA-secure online form. This protected health information will be solely used for follow-up purposes by the Lewis and Clark Public Health staff and will not be shared outside the Department, or used for other purposes.
Lewis and Clark County COVID-19 Community Level: Low
What prevention steps should you take based on a Low COVID-19 Community Level?
1) Stay up to date with COVID-19 vaccines;
3) Get tested if you have symptoms.
Levels change often. To check Lewis and Clark COVID-19 Community Levels and learn more, head to our COVID-19 Hub and select the 'CDC Tools' tab. Or, use the CDC's COVID-19 County Check tool below.
Do you have expired at-home COVID-19 tests? How can you tell?
To check the expiration dates of at-home COVID-19 tests, look for the label containing the expiration date on the outside of the box. Do not use any expired at-home COVID-19 tests and throw them away with your regular garbage.
Where can I find more at-home tests?
You can get more COVID-19 at-home tests at local pharmacies and online at retails such as Amazon. At-home tests may be covered by health insurance. Please contact your insurance provider for more information.
LCPH is no longer providing free at-home COVID-19 tests at our main offices after Friday, Oct. 28, 2022. However, our COVID-19 Community Testing Clinic will continue to provide free on-site testing for all residents. The clinic is open Monday – Friday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
To make an appointment at our COVID-19 Community Testing Clinic or for more information, visit www.helenmontanamaps.org/LCPHCOVID19HUB/ or call our COVID-19 Hotline at 833-829-9219.
Want to report a positive COVID home test? Visit this link.
COVID-19 Vaccine Guidance for Immunocompromised Individuals
The CDC recently clarified and updated recommendations for some moderately or severely immunocompromised individuals and COVID-19 booster doses.
People with immunocompromising conditions or people who take immunosuppressive medications or therapies are advised to receive a three dose primary series of either Pfizer or Moderna vaccines (mRNA), and then get an mRNA booster dose at least 3 months after their third dose.
Those who received a Janssen (J&J vaccine) should get a Pfizer or Moderna second dose and then an Pfizer or Moderna booster at least two months after the second dose.
If you have any questions regarding these recommendations, please contact your primary care provider.
Please visit this CDC page for more information.
Automated COVID-19 Case Investigations
Lewis and Clark Public Health has moved to automated contact tracing using SMS text messaging to all positive COVID-19 cases in our county and provide them with isolation information. Text messages will originate from the number (406) 213-1444 – this is a phone number specifically used by LCPH for this purpose. Read our full news release.
For information on how to determine a close contact, refer to this document from the CDC.
Ways to Protect Yourself and Others from COVID-19
We've learned a lot in the last two years about the way COVID-19 spreads in our community. While much as changed, there are still some basic ways you can help reduce the spread of COVID-19.
In addition to getting vaccinated and boosted:
Distance Yourself from Others
"Physical distancing" is one of the most effective strategies you can use to protect yourself and others from COVID-19. Physical distancing means avoiding crowded places and keeping a distance of at least 6 feet between yourself and others.
Other examples of physical distancing are:
- Working from home instead of at the office
- Visiting loved ones by electronic devices instead of in person
- Cancelling or postponing conferences and large meetings
With COVID-19, the goal of physical distancing is to slow down the spread of the disease in order to reduce the chance of infection among high-risk populations and to reduce the burden on health-care systems and workers.
History indicates that these measures work. A 2007 study found that, during the 1918 Spanish flu pandemic, cities that used several interventions at an early phase of the pandemic—like closing schools and banning public gatherings—had significantly lower death rates.
Practice Good Personal Hygiene
Everyday precautions that can help prevent the spread of flu and other germs are also effective against the virus that causes COVID-19.
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after using the bathroom, before eating, and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing;
- If soap and water aren’t available, use a hand sanitizer containing at least 60 percent alcohol;
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick;
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth;
- Stay home when you’re sick;
- Cover your coughs and sneezes with a tissue, and then throw the tissue in the trash.
Use Appropriate Face Coverings
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that the general public wear cloth face coverings in public indoor settings in counties of high COVID-19 Community Levels. To check Lewis and Clark County Community Level, use the CDC tool above. Public indoor settings including places like grocery and retail stores.
COVID-19 in Lewis and Clark County
| COVID-19 Hub | Decision Making Dashboard | Global/US Case Map | Montana/County Case Map |
The CDC recommends that children and adolescents age 6 months and older get a COVID-19 vaccine.
The Pfizer/Moderna COVID-19 vaccines are authorized for children and adolescents age 6 months and up.
Vaccination is the best way to protect children age 6 months and older from COVID-19.
COVID-19 has become one of the top 10 causes of pediatric death, and tens of thousands of children and teens have been hospitalized with COVID-19. While children and adolescents are typically at lower risk than adults of becoming severely ill or hospitalized from COVID-19, it is still possible.
The vaccine is safe and effective.
Before being authorized for children, scientists and medical experts completed their review of safety and effectiveness data from clinical trials of thousands of children.
Please see our FAQ page for more information.
Boosters
The CDC has approved boosters of Pfizer and Moderna vaccine for ALL individuals age 6 months+ at least 2 months after their second dose of Pfizer, and at least 2 months after second dose of Moderna. All people who received J&J vaccine are eligible for a booster two months after their single dose.
Please note, these guidelines are based on individual benefits and risks. Consult your primary care physician for more information and guidance.
Mass drive-thru clinic:
Currently there are no mass drive thru clinics scheduled for any age groups.
If You Think You Have COVID-19
Symptoms of COVID-19 include a fever over 100 degrees F, cough, and difficulty breathing. If you have mild symptoms, stay home if possible and contact your medical provider by phone for guidance. Your provider will make sure you don’t expose others in the office or hospital setting. He or she will also work with public health professionals to determine if you need to be tested.
If you have severe symptoms, such as difficulty breathing, seek care immediately. Let the 9-1-1 dispatcher know that you might have COVID-19. Older patients and people who have underlying medical conditions or compromised immune systems should contact their physician early in the course of even mild illness.
Questions or concerns? Call the state hotline at 1-888-333-0461 For complaints about any of the Governor's COVID-19 directives within Lewis and Clark County, call 406-457-8886 |