Lewis and Clark County Issues Public Health Emergency Declaration

Helena – Lewis and Clark County Commissioners today issued a County Public Health Emergency Declaration in response to the COVID-19 epidemic occurring across the United States. Lewis and Clark Public Health (LCPH), along with other local health services and stakeholders, have been proactively preparing for the virus to reach Montana.

While there are still no confirmed cases in Lewis & Clark County*, local officials expect it is only a matter of time. This declaration allows the County access to state and federal money and resources not available otherwise.

"The County is committed to providing all available resources to combat and alleviate the situation as it develops," said Susan Good Geise, Lewis and Clark County Chairwoman. "We are taking this very seriously, and we expect the public to take it seriously as well."

The World Health Organization has declared a global pandemic, and the State of Montana has issued a State of Public Health Emergency, giving it access to additional disaster funding. LCPH is working closely with its state and federal counterparts.

"We have been preparing for weeks and are making sure we have all options available to us as we move forward in a situation that needs to be taken very seriously," said Drenda Niemann, Lewis & Clark Public Health Officer. "Everyone has a role to play to help prevent the spread of this serious respiratory disease in our community. We want to make sure people have the information they need to prepare and respond appropriately and effectively.

More information is available on the Lewis and Clark Public Health webpage at http://www.lccountymt.gov/covid-19, or by calling LCPH at 457-8900 or email publichealth(at)lccountymt.gov.

*Four presumptive cases were identified in the state March 13, following this press release. One of those was identified as a resident of Lewis and Clark County, but the individual was subsequently identified as a resident of Broadwater County who worked in, and was tested in, Lewis and Clark County.