THE LOCAL NEWS OF THE MADISON VALLEY, RUBY VALLEY AND SURROUNDING AREAS

Twenty positive cases in Madison County, HIPPA information

Madison County Public Health Press Release

On July 8, 2020, Melissa Brummell, Public Health Director reported five new positive coronavirus since July 4 bringing Madison County’s positive cases to 20 including one death earlier in the season.

Brummell advised that last week 122 individuals were tested for the virus making 530 completed to date. The State of Montana reported 1,451 cases including 23 deaths.

The individuals who tested positive for the coronavirus include three females and two males ranging between 20 and 69 years of age. Four individuals were known contacts of recent COVID-19 cases, with one not identified as a previous close contact but did have recent out of state travel. All positive cases are in isolation.

Additionally, there are three positive COVID-19 nonresidents isolating within Madison County that have been following strict isolation orders. Note that nonresidents are not counted on the demographic map. All individuals in close contact with the new cases are being notified and will be required to home quarantine for the appropriate period.

Since July 2, 2020, approximately 56 Madison County residents have been placed on quarantine with an additional 25 nonresidents listed as close contact and placed on quarantine. In order to protect the privacy of the individuals who tested positive the Public Health Department will not disclose the names nor where the persons reside. The Health Insurance Portability & Accountability Act (HIPAA) requires covered entities to limit the amount of protected health information (PHI) which relate to a person’s medical condition that identifies or might identify that person.

Congress passed HIPAA in 1996 to establish minimum standards of privacy and security to ensure that sensitive information about individuals’ health would remain confidential.

Brummell also stressed the need for individuals to continue to stay alert for symptoms such as fever, cough, trouble breathing, and seek emergency medical treatment if you or a family member show any symptoms of COVID-19. Additional information is available at the CDC’s website: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html for additional information.

COVID-19 Drive-Thru Surveillance Testing is scheduled on Friday, July 10, 2020, at the Madison County Public Health Department located at 7 Placer Loop, Virginia City, MT.

The testing is “free” and will be available from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and everyone is welcome. People must have no symptoms, are requested to stay in their vehicles, no appointment is necessary, and if possible the individual will compete the self-nasal swab. This testing opportunity is being provided by Madison County Public Health in collaboration with Madison County Disaster Emergency Services (DES), State DPHHS, State DES, Montana National Guard, Madison Valley Medical Center and the Town of Virginia City.

The Madison County Sanitarian Department is available to answer any questions relating to business licensures and sanitation. Please contact the department at 406.843.4275.

The Madison County Public Health Department is available during normal business hours to answer questions about COVID-19 by phone at 406.843.4295. For additional information concerning COVID-19, visit the Public Health website: https://madisoncountymt.gov/230/Public-Health.

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The Madisonian

65 N. MT Hwy 287
Ennis, MT 59729
406-682-7755
www.madisoniannews.com

Cori Koenig, editor: editor@madisoniannews.com
Susanne Hill, billing: s.hill@madisoniannews.com 
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