COVID-19 Update

March 16, 2020
6:00 p.m.


In an effort to protect our patients, our employees and our community, we are taking important precautions to alleviate the transmission of COVID-19.

Effective immediately, visitors are not being allowed at Community Hospital of Anaconda or Community Nursing Home of Anaconda. The only exceptions are one parent of pediatric patients, one support person for Labor & Delivery patients, end of life situations and essential caregivers. All essential visitors to our facilities will be screened, and those displaying symptoms of fever, cough or shortness of breath will not be allowed in our facilities.

CHA encourages all community members who are exhibiting COVID-19 symptoms to self-quarantine at home unless their symptoms are severe or worsening. COVID-19 symptoms include fever of 100.4 or greater, worsening shortness of breath and new cough. Self-quarantine means staying in your home and away from others to monitor your symptoms for 14 days from symptom onset or a known exposure to someone who has tested positive to COVID-19. Individuals who are self-quarantining should isolate themselves as much as possible from other household members (in a separate room and bathroom, if possible), not go to work or public places, disinfect high-touch items and practice good hand hygiene.

Community members who are exhibiting worsening symptoms and feel they should seek care are asked to call their primary care provider ahead of their visit. Their provider will give guidance on appropriate next steps. Patients who do not have a primary care provider shall call the emergency department prior to visiting the emergency department. Patients needing testing will be directed to a designated area to prevent exposure in our clinics, hospital and emergency room. Currently, COVID-19 testing is limited due to supply and is done in accordance with recommendation by the CDC. Most cases of COVID-19 will not require emergency care or hospitalization.

CHA asks the community to follow all everyday prevention measures to help reduce the spread of COVID-19 and encourages the community to get their COVID-19 information from trusted health authorities, including:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
State of Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services

This message will be updated daily as new information comes available.


What We're Doing to Keep You Safe


As global and domestic cases of 2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) rise, we have implemented additional measures at our hospital and clinics to protect the health of everyone we serve.

• We are actively monitoring updates and guidance from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), state and local health departments.

• We have procedures in place should a patient present with symptoms.

• Travel screening protocols have been activated, and any individual who meets the criteria established by the CDC is placed in isolation and local health departments are notified to assist with further testing.

• We are also carefully monitoring supply chain issues to ensure adequate personal protection equipment (PPE) and other supplies are available as demand increases.

How to Stay Healthy


Protect Yourself

COVID-19 is spread through person-to-person contact and by coming into contact with infected surfaces. You can help protect yourself and limit the spread of disease with these tips:

• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.

• Stay home when you are sick.

• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.

• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, and always after using the bathroom, before eating and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.

• If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.

For more information, visit the following links or call the MT Coronavirus (COVID-19) Information Phone Line at 1-888-333-0461.
MT DPHHS
Covid19.mt.gov