BOZEMAN — Citing a sharp rise in the number of COVID-19 positive inpatients at Bozeman Health Deaconess and Big Sky Medical Center, as well as the number of unvaccinated patients confirmed positive for COVID-19, Bozeman Health, Billings Clinic Bozeman, Community Health Partners, and Gallatin City-County Health Department have released a statement supporting recent decisions to require masks for school students, staff and visitors.
The statement released Friday, Aug. 27, 2021, reads in part: "The last year has made it clear that keeping kids in school is critical for their mental health and academic success. We must limit the spread of COVID-19 to minimize school disruptions from quarantine and illness. Masks are one of the most effective strategies we have to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Decreasing the spread of COVID-19 is especially important for our children and community members who have not yet been vaccinated against COVID-19. We know that the vaccine significantly decreases COVID-19 transmission rates and nearly eliminates serious disease and death. Unfortunately, for the youngest members of our community, immunizations are not yet an option. Masks are their best defense."
"Since the highly contagious Delta variant has arrived in the community, there has been a sharp escalation in the number of COVID-19 positive inpatients at Bozeman Health Deaconess Hospital and Big Sky Medical Center. In the past month, 28 of 39 of all hospitalized patients confirmed positive for COVID-19 have been unvaccinated. Only one person admitted to the intensive care unit at Deaconess Hospital in the past month was known to be fully vaccinated."
Officials said in the statement: "Since the highly contagious Delta variant has arrived in the community, there has been a sharp escalation in the number of COVID-19 positive inpatients at Bozeman Health Deaconess Hospital and Big Sky Medical Center. In the past month, 28 of 39 of all hospitalized patients confirmed positive for COVID-19 have been unvaccinated. Only one person admitted to the intensive care unit at Deaconess Hospital in the past month was known to be fully vaccinated."
"Additionally, across the country, we are seeing a significant increase in the number of children with COVID-19 admitted to the hospital – in some places, more than at any other point in the pandemic. We want to protect our kids and keep them in school. We applaud the decisions made by Montana State University, Bozeman School District, and all area schools that require masks in school. Immunization and masking help to ensure the health and well-being of our students, educators, their families, and the wider community. We encourage all to mask, to practice hand hygiene, to stay home when sick, and to get the COVID-19 vaccine."
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