More Covid deaths at Whitefish care facility
HEIDI DESCH | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 5 years, 10 months AGO
DEPUTY EDITOR, FEATURES Heidi Desch is the Deputy Editor at the Daily Inter Lake, overseeing coverage of arts, culture, lifestyle, community, and business. Desch leads reporters in developing stories that highlight the people, traditions, and events shaping Northwest Montana, guiding content across print and digital platforms. With more than 20 years of journalism experience, including serving as managing editor of the Whitefish Pilot, Desch is a graduate of the University of Montana School of Journalism. She has received multiple Montana Newspaper Association awards, including part of the team leading the Daily Inter Lake to Best Daily Newspaper in Montana Award and the General Excellence Award in 2024 and 2025. IMPACT: Heidi’s work connects readers with stories that deepen the understanding of the community beyond daily news. | September 11, 2020 12:05 AM
Four additional people have died as a result of a recent COVID-19 outbreak at a long-term care facility in Whitefish, according to health officials.
This brings the total number of deaths associated with the Whitefish Care and Rehabilitation Center to 10.
The Flathead City-County Health Department on Friday confirmed the additional deaths.
“We extend our condolences to all the families and friends affected by these deaths,” said Tamalee St. James Robinson, Interim Health Officer of the Flathead City-County Health Department.
The total number of COVID-19 related deaths in the county is now 13.
The care facility continues to be a major outbreak, the health department says, with more than 75% of residents having tested positive for COVID-19 since August.
Between Aug. 9 and Sep.10, of the residents who tested positive for the virus, 19% have died from COVID-19.
The total number of confirmed cases of the virus in the county as of Friday was 729. There are 112 active cases in the county and 527 people are being monitored, which includes all cases and contacts.
The total number of confirmed cases in Montana as of Friday morning was about 8,700. There are about 1,800 active cases in the state.
Flathead County remains the fourth highest county in the state for total confirmed cases.
Yellowstone County is the highest at about 2,400 cases, followed by Gallatin County at about 1,100 and Big Horn County has about 760.
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