Missoula City-County Health Officials are urging the community to reignite their diligence in preventing the spread of COVID-19 as cases and hospitalizations in the County hit levels not seen since spring.

On Tuesday, July 27, Missoula County reported 30 new COVID-19 cases — the highest number reported since March 27, 2021, before COVID-19 vaccines were widely available to the general public. There are 100 active cases in the County, a figure not seen since April 12, 2021. Twelve individuals are currently hospitalized in Missoula County, which is the most COVID-19 patients the community has seen since April 20, 2021. Furthermore, the seven-day rolling average of new COVID-19 cases per 100,000 people rose to 12 after hitting an all-time pandemic low of three just four weeks ago on June 26, 2021.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Tuesday reversed course on its recommendation that fully vaccinated individuals could forego masking inside enclosed public areas. With this news, local health officials are urging the public to start wearing masks again.

“Every layer of protection counts right now and dusting those masks off is a wise choice. With the highly transmissible Delta variant present in our community, those who are old enough to get vaccinated should do so immediately. Children 11 and younger especially should wear masks, social distance, and frequently sanitize their hands until a vaccine is approved in their age group,” stated Health Officer D’Shane Barnett.

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COVID-19 Incident Commander Cindy Farr added, “We are at a critical point where those who have been delaying their vaccines, those who have been hesitating, need to step forward and protect themselves and our community. We have come too far to slide back now.”

COVID Data Tracker – How is your County doing?

Health officials say it is especially critical that parents and guardians get children 12 and older vaccinated against COVID-19 before they head back to the classroom next month, as summer camps and other child programs have been attributed to large COVID-19 clusters across the nation.

The Health Department’s COVID-19 vaccine clinic at the Southgate Mall is open seven days a week; no appointment necessary. All three FDA-authorized vaccines are available each day. COVID-19 vaccine appointments are free to the insured and uninsured. Clinic staff are always available to sit down and discuss any questions or concerns a patient may have before they decide to get vaccinated.

COVID-19 testing is also critical to slowing the spread of the original strain and the highly transmissible Delta variant. All Missoula County residents, whether symptomatic or not, can book free COVID-19 tests at the Flynn Lane testing clinic or at a mobile testing clinic. Individuals who are exposed to large volumes of people at work are especially encouraged to take advantage of this service.

Southgate Mall Vaccine Clinic: 2901 Brooks St, Missoula, MT 59801

Monday – 3 to 7 p.m.

Tuesday – Thursday – 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Friday – 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Weekends – 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Flynn Lane COVID-19 Testing Clinic: 4025 Flynn Lane, Missoula, MT 59808

Monday – Friday – 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Saturday – Closed

Sunday – 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Mobile COVID-19 Testing:

Tuesday – Clinton Fire Station 9 to 11 a.m.; Seeley Lake Community Foundation 1 to 3 p.m.

Thursday – Lolo Community Center 9 to 11 a.m.; Frenchtown Fire Station 1 to 3 p.m.