Havre, Montana – Northern Montana Health Care (NMHC) has opened an alternative clinic for suspected COVID-19 patients. It is located on the east side of the NMHC campus in the building formerly known as Medical Group East. NMHC would like to reiterate to the Hi-Line community that there are currently no confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Montana or Hill County at this time. There are however, several high risk exposures in the immediate area. NMHC is setting up an incident command center to deal with the challenges this presents to our community. This clinic is a result of their findings.

At this time, NMHC is asking the community to use the Emergency Department at Northern Montana Hospital for life threatening conditions only. If a person is experiencing a fever, dry cough, sore throat, stomach issues or nasal secretions, you are advised to treat your symptoms with Tylenol, Motrin and over-the-counter cold medicines. If you are unable to manage your symptoms at home, your first contact with healthcare professionals should be by phone. Patients who feel that they may need to be assessed by a healthcare professional are asked to please report to the parking lot of the clinic at 124 13th Street and then to call (406) 262-1570.

As further precaution, both Northern Montana Hospital and the Northern Montana Care Center are closed for all visitors at this time. The doors will remain locked in both buildings. If you need entrance, please call the hospital number and speak with the AD on shift. That number is (406) 265-2211.

The most important measure people should take at this time if they feel that they are experiencing symptoms or may have been exposed to someone who is ill is to self-isolate. Quarantining yourself and any exposed family members at your home will help to reduce the spread of this illness.

More information about COVID-19 can be found at the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) website at https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html.