The Coronavirus outbreak has created a critical staffing need at Canyon Creek Memory Care in Billings.
The medical community and state are helping.
Riverstone Health reports two men in their 80’s and 90’s died.
Ten residents and nine staff members tested positive, bringing the total 91.
Many of the Canyon Creek employees are now in quarantine already.
The state's disaster and emergency services team has been deployed.
The plan is for six National Guard members to be on site and fill in gaps at 7 Friday night.
Billings Clinic will also fill in with nurses, CNA's, respiratory therapists, pharmacists and a memory care specialist.
Riverstone health will continue to trace contacts connected to the 91 confirmed positive cases.
Thirty-six of Canyon Creek's 55 employees tested positive.
“What our initial goal is as an organization is to step up and try to provide additional staffing for the next 72 hours,” said Jim Duncan, Billings Clinic Foundation president. “And so that is the plan. From a Billings Clinic perspective, we'll be reaching out to our staff, as well as other staff that are in the area and across the state that might be able to help if this goes longer. And we need additional help. Canyon Creek is also flying in people to help with their needs as well.”
Riverstone Health continues to trace contacts tied to the 91 positive cases.
