Kalispell Regional Healthcare officials reported Monday a second worker has tested positive for COVID-19. This positive test comes after the hospital announced last week that a health care worker had tested positive for the coronavirus.
The employeee is currently recovering at home in isolation for the next 14 days.
The employee had traveled out of Montana from March 12 through March 16.
On March 17, the employee returned to work and did not have symptoms. The next day they were screened and had minor symptoms, including a slight runny nose and occasional cough.
Thursday, March 19, there was no change in symptoms and she worked a full shift. Friday, she was not scheduled to work and she had no change in her symptoms. On Saturday, March 21, her symptoms had not worsened or changed.
The friend she stayed with during her out-of-state travel contacted her and told her she had been in contact with a positive COVID-19 case and the friend she stayed with was having symptoms.
She suggested the employee may need to be tested for COVID-19 and she was tested while at work. On Monday, March 23, a positive test was reported to Kalispell Regional Hospital by the Flathead City-County Health Department.
The appropriate detailed surveillance, interventions, and containment strategies are under way and as before all the appropriate steps will be taken.
As a reminder, anyone who meets the surveillance criteria for contact with this employee will be notified, sent home for quarantine and tested should symptoms arise.
Kalispell Regional Hospital has sent in over 150 tests and two have come back positive. Beyond the hospital, the Flathead Valley has two additional positives bringing the total to four COVID-19 cases in Flathead Valley.