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Montana hospital institutes visitor restrictions due to increase in virus cases

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Montana hospital institutes visitor restrictions due to increase in virus cases


A Montana hospital implemented visitor restrictions starting Monday due to an increase in cold, influenza and COVID-19 activity in the community.

St. Peter’s Regional Medical Center in Helena will restrict children 12 and under, as well as anyone with cold and flu symptoms from visiting their facility unless the person is a patient seeking care.

Patients with fever, cough, sore throat, runny nose or nasal congestion will be asked to wear a mask.

Masks will be available at entrances.

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Full release:

In response to a steady increase of virus prevalence in our community, St. Peter’s Health announced today that they are instituting visitor restrictions at the Regional Medical Center. According to an article published by Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, we’re likely to experience another early flu season, underscoring the importance routine vaccination can play in keeping our community healthy.

St. Peter’s Health Chief Medical Officer Dr. Shelly Harkins says visitor restrictions are common at medical facilities throughout the country, although the community health system is implementing them a little earlier than usual this year.

“Our number one priority is the safety of our patients and staff,” said Harkins. “We are taking a very proactive approach in protecting our workforce and instituting these changes ahead of peak virus season. It’s our job to help prevent the spread of viruses and protect those who are immunocompromised, like the elderly, young children and those who are ill or undergoing medical treatments in our facilities.”

Dr. Anne Anglim, Infection Prevention Specialist at St. Peter’s, encourages the community to schedule their annual seasonal vaccinations.

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“Getting your seasonal vaccines, like the flu shot and COVID booster, not only give you and your family added protection from the viruses, but they prevent millions of flu and cold related illnesses, lost time and productivity, and medical visits each year,” says Anglim. “Almost every pharmacy and medical clinic in town, including St. Peter’s, makes these annual vaccines available. Most of the time, you can walk in and get it done without an appointment, and many times insurance plans completely cover the cost of your visit.“

Visitor restrictions are in effect at the Regional Medical Center, including the emergency department, as of 8 a.m. today Monday, Oct. 2, 2023. Visitor restrictions are in place to ensure patient, visitor and employee safety.

While the restrictions are in effect, children 12 and under, as well as anyone with cold and flu-like symptoms are restricted from visiting the Regional Medical Center unless they are seeking care. If you are experiencing the following symptoms when seeking care, please put on a mask available at patient entrances to help protect others during your visit:

Fever

Cough

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Sore Throat

Runny Nose

Nasal Congestion

If you are not experiencing these symptoms and visiting a loved one in the hospital, please remember to wash or sanitize your hands frequently to avoid getting sick or getting someone else sick.



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Montana

Montana City Ranked One Of The Cheapest In The U.S.

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Montana City Ranked One Of The Cheapest In The U.S.


Affordable living in Montana. Now that may sound like something that seems impossible, especially if you are looking to move to certain areas like Bozeman, Kalispell, or Missoula. Thankfully, there are still towns/cities that are making national news for being the most affordable/cheapest to live in, in the United States.

A top name in finance, Kiplinger Personal Finance, has come out with a list of the 25 cheapest cities to live in throughout the U.S. and one Montana city has made the list. This city came in at #16!

It really wasn’t a surprise when reading the list to see this city on it. There are so many things to do in and around this city, it’s no wonder people are starting to flock there.

What city in Montana made the list for one of the one of the cheapest cities to live in, in the U.S.?

Great Falls

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Great Falls has over 60 parks and 52 miles of River’s Edge Trail along the scenic Missouri River. Not only that, but when you are walking the land in Great Falls, you are walking among the history of the Blackfeet Indians and Lewis and Clark.

With a population of a little over 60k, Great Falls is actually the third largest city in Montana. Great Falls is ideal for any outdoor enthusiast that loves hiking, mountain biking, camping, fishing, skiing and more.

GREAT FALLS BAR NAMED BEST ON PLANET EARTH BY GQ

You will find yourself within driving distance to both Glacier National Park and Yellowstone National Park.

Full of local restaurants and cafes, you will have some of the most delicious food all while supporting the community. Do yourself a favor and give Great Falls a visit, you will most likely understand how it made the list of top 25 cheapest cities to live in, in the U.S.

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cc: Kiplinger Personal Finance

Safety Town 2024 Great Falls, Montana

Safety Town 2024 Great Falls, Montana

Gallery Credit: Tammie Toren

Breakfast Restaurants In Great Falls, Montana

Restaurants That Serve Breakfast The Whole Time They’re Open, Great Falls, Montana

Gallery Credit: Tammie Toren

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Winter storm maps show where state could be hit with 7 inches of snow

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Winter storm maps show where state could be hit with 7 inches of snow


Residents of Montana could be hit by unseasonably cold weather and snow starting on Sunday, the National Weather Service (NWS) has reported.

Montanans in some parts of the state can expect chilly temperatures and snow throughout Sunday and into early next week. Winter weather advisories are in place across numerous areas currently, while temperatures are expected to drop close to or below freezing.

Read more: Emergency Funds: How to Build One and Where to Keep It

From 6 p.m. on Sunday, those in Big Belt, Bridger and Castle Mountains, Elkhorn and Boulder Mountains, Little Belt and Highwood Mountains, Gallatin and Madison County Mountains and Centennial Mountains, and Northwest Beaverhead County can expect up to 7 inches of “heavy, wet snow,” particularly at higher elevations above 6,000 feet, according to a winter weather advisory issued by the NWS.

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“Travel could be difficult, especially on backcountry roads. Those in the backcountry should ensure they have appropriate knowledge and gear and may want to consider alternate plans,” the advisory reads. “The heavy, wet nature of snow can bring down tree limbs and power lines.”

Snowfall in Whitefish, Montana, taken on an unknown date. Several inches of snow is expected in Montana in the coming days, particularly at higher elevations.

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Another advisory warns of 6 inches of snow for those in the East Glacier Park Region and along the Southern Rocky Mountain Front, particularly in areas between 6,000 and 8,000 feet. Both advisories are currently in place until Tuesday evening.

Read more: Find the Right Type of Savings Account for Your Needs

Those in Missoula and Bitterroot Valley are also subject to a winter storm watch advisory, with 3 inches of heavy, wet snow expected to fall on Sunday night through to Monday morning. During the same period, 1 to 5 inches of snow is forecast at Georgetown Lake, Macdonald Pass and along Highway 12, with five to 12 inches possible in the highest terrain.

Similar conditions are also expected overnight on Sunday along several roads, including the I-90 East Missoula to Bearmouth, Highway 200 from Bonner to Greenough, and Highway 83 from Seeley Lake to Condon. Motorists are encouraged to “slow down and use caution” while on the road.

Residents of the areas covered by the warnings are warned of the risk of hypothermia if heading out unprepared, with temperatures expected to drop to the low 30s. Overnight, the NWS X, formerly Twitter, account said “temperatures will be dropping into the 30s tonight across valley areas,” which could also have an adverse effect on plants as frost forms.

While Montanans feel the chill, other parts of the U.S. are expecting more predictable warm weather for this time of year. Excessive heat watch warnings are in place in the Midwest, and also Connecticut, Indiana, Maine, Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia. Further south in Texas and New Mexico, heat advisories are also in place.

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Montana Food Bank Network grocery partnership aims to meet fundraising goal

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Montana Food Bank Network grocery partnership aims to meet fundraising goal


The Montana Food Bank Network announced a new partnership with Albertsons and Safeway grocery stores.

The partnership will put advertisements in 40 Albertsons and Safeway grocery stores statewide to assist with fundraising for MFBN, the only statewide food bank.

This comes after MFBN launched its Campaign for Bigger Impact over a month ago, with the goal of raising $15 million. The organization is $3 million short of meeting the goal.

To learn more about the campaign, or to donate, click here.

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The Montana Food Bank Network sent out the following:

Across the state, 1 in 9 Montanans don’t have enough food, including 1 in 6 children, and the need is only getting greater. As Montana’s only statewide food bank, Montana Food Bank Network (MFBN) has a network of 360 partners statewide, including community food banks, pantries, schools, senior centers, shelters, and tribal centers. This summer, MFBN is partnering with Albertsons Companies, which has 40 Albertsons/Safeway grocery stores statewide—a fitting and timely partnership, as MFBN officially announced its Campaign for Bigger Impact just a little over one month ago. Through the campaign, MFBN will build a new facility that will allow it to source, store, and distribute more fresh, nutritious, and locally sourced food to its statewide partners.

“We are grateful for the ongoing partnership from Albertsons/Safeway stores in Montana,” said Bill Mathews, Chief Development Officer at MFBN. “Everyone has a part to play in ending hunger in Montana, and the support of Albertsons and their shoppers will have an impact in our communities across the state.”

Come early June, shoppers will find every Albertsons/Safeway store in the state of Montana supporting and advertising to help spread the word and raise funds towards the $3 million still needed to complete MFBN’s $15 million campaign.

“Hunger relief is the number one priority for Albertsons Companies,” said Kathy Holland, Communications and Public Relations for Albertsons Companies Intermountain Division. “Helping support individuals and families having access to food and helping support the programs at Montana Food Bank Network is just so incredibly important for us.”

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To learn more about MFBN’s Campaign for Bigger Impact, visit www.mfbn.org/campaign-for-bigger-impact.



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