• COVID-19

    Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is an infectious disease caused by a newly discovered coronavirus.

    Most people infected with the COVID-19 virus will experience mild to moderate respiratory illness and recover without requiring special treatment.  Older people, and those with underlying medical problems like cardiovascular disease, diabetes, chronic respiratory disease, and cancer are more likely to develop serious illness.

    The best way to prevent and slow down transmission is be well informed about the COVID-19 virus, the disease it causes and how it spreads. Protect yourself and others from infection by washing your hands or using an alcohol-based rub frequently and not touching your face. 

    The COVID-19 virus spreads primarily through droplets of saliva or discharge from the nose when an infected person coughs or sneezes, so it’s important that you also practice respiratory etiquette (for example, by coughing into a flexed elbow).

    At this time, there are no specific vaccines or treatments for COVID-19. However, there are many ongoing clinical trials evaluating potential treatments. (World Health Organization)

    What is Hellgate Elementary doing to keep students safe?

    Health Information Regarding COVID in School

    Symptoms of COVID-19

    • Cough (new or unexplained)
    • Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
    • New loss of taste or smell
    • Temperature greater than or equal to 100.4 F or chills
    • Muscle or body aches
    • Headache
    • Sore throat
    • Nausea or vomiting
    • Diarrhea
    • Fatigue
    • Congestion or runny nose (new or unexplained)

    If students at Hellgate present with one or more of these symptoms they will be sent home.

    Students will not be allowed to return to school until they are fever or symptom free for 24 hours without the use of any medication.

    If symptoms last longer than 48 hours, we encourage you to get tested for COVID-19. You can make an appointment by calling 406-258-4636.

    What Happens if there is a Positive Case at Hellgate?

    The Missoula County Health Department will notify the school nurse of a positive case within the Hellgate Community.

    The school nurse will then begin the process of identifying Close Contacts.

    - Close contacts are those within 6 feet (with or without a face covering) for at least 15 minutes starting from 2 days before illness onset.

    The school nurse will reference the teacher's seating charts and identify other students who are close contacts. The nurse will also reference the bus seating charts and identify close contacts.

    The individual who tested positive for COVID will be required to quarantine for 5 day from when symptoms first started. Should symptoms improve over the course of those 5 days (or completely resolve) they will be allowed to return to school. Should the symptoms not improve, the positive individual will need to continue to quarantine. All identified close contacts will receive an email notification from nurse Lou or nurse Brayden. Close contacts are recommended to quarantine but the decision to quarantine or not will be left the student's parent or guardian.