CFVH implements signage for COVID transmission rates

Clark Fork Valley Hospital and its Family Medicine Network offices have implemented new signage to inform the public and visitors about COVID-19 restrictions at their buildings.

Signage at entrances to CFVH buildings will feature COVID-19 transmission rates for Sanders County based on recommendations from the CDC and CMS. If COVID-19 transmission levels are high in the county, visitors will see red signage designated such and notifying them that masking is required in the building. If COVID-19 transmission levels are low in the county, signage will be green and masks will be options, with a few exceptions. CFVH stated in a press release this week that masks will still be required if any of the transmission precautions below apply, including people who:

* tested positive for COVID-19 within the last 10 days;

* have been exposed to someone who tested positive for C19 within the last 10 days, or;

* are currently experiencing C19 symptoms.

Lisa Eberhardt, Chief Nursing Officer for CFVH, stated that transmission rates are based on two metrics, including total new cases per 100,000 persons in the last seven days, and percentage of Nucleic Acid Amplification Test (NAAT) results that are positive during the past seven days. High transmission is when transmission rates are greater than or equal to 100 cases per 100,000 people, Eberhardt detailed, or equal to 10% confirmed positive NAAT results. Anything below that is considered low transmission rates.

"We use the CDC community transmission tracker and check it once a week," Eberhardt stated. "While CDC uses other colors for below high transmission levels, we chose to simplify it for the public and use red (mask), green (mask optional). In either case, if visitors, patients or staff have symptoms of C19 , been exposed to a positive person in the last 10 days or have tested positive themselves in the last 10 days, they must mask and refrain from visiting unless hospital services are needed."

CFVH administration recommends deferring visits if any of the transmission precautions apply. Transmission levels will be updated weekly so you may notice a change in signage and requirements from visit to visit. "We thank you for your cooperation and assistance in slowing the spread of C19," CFVH stated.

Flu vaccines are available through CFVH this fall. Flu vaccines are $30 at time of service, or $60 for high-dose vaccines, which are available to anyone 65 or older. The high-dose vaccines are free with Medicare coverage. "We encourage anyone interested to call the office closest to them for more information," said Tonya Revier, Marketing and Community Relations Coordinator for CFVH.

"The Flu vaccine is especially important for individuals with chronic health conditions, women who are pregnant and children under the age of 2 years old," said Sondra Howland, Paul, Infection Preventionist for the hospital. "We urge you to get vaccinated to protect yourself and others around you."

The hospital also stated this week that they have the Pfizer Bivalent C19 Booster vaccination available at the Plains Family Medicine office. The updated booster is called bivalent because it protects against both the original virus that causes COVID-19 and the Omicron variants BA.4 and BA.5, the hospital stated in a press release. To get the booster, complete the CFVH Booster Vaccination Survey at http://www.cfvh.org, or call Plains Family Medicine at (406) 826-4810.