The Whitehall Ledger - Serving Southern Jefferson County in the Great State of Montana

Jefferson County Public Health is moving to automated COVID-19 contact tracing beginning Wednesday, June 1, 2022. We are moving away from universal contact tracing and will now send SMS text messages to positive COVID-19 individuals in our county....

Public Health is many things. It is clean air and water, safe schools, mental health, emergency preparedness, disease surveillance, and promotion of healthy lifestyles. The work of public health is achieved by preventing illness and injury and...

This week is National Public Health Week. This year, the theme for National Public Health Week is “Public Health is Where You Are”, which focuses on the places where we all are physically, mentally, and within our communities that affect our...

Some of our neighbors share why they chose to get vaccinated against COVID-19. Here are their stories: TERRY AND BRUD Terry and Brud have ranched in Jefferson County for 39 years. Brud was raised here. Here’s what they have to say about why they...

Jefferson County Public Health has updated the isolation and quarantine guidance based on recommendations from the CDC, which has continued to review and provide updated isolation and quarantine recommendations throughout the course of the COVID-19...

It is the time of year where many of us think of wellness. We are moving into a new year, settling into winter’s cold and flu season, and dealing with the impacts of almost two years of the COVID-19 pandemic. Our lifestyle can affect how well our...

The 2021-22 flu season is here. Last year, Montana had no diagnosed flu. Those who follow flu trends are concerned we will see increased flu activity this year. Experts suspect the low number of flu cases last year may mean fewer people with...

As many of you have heard, COVID-19 vaccination is now available to children aged 5-11 years of age. We have been listening to questions parents and caregivers have about getting their child vaccinated. I would like to share some of that information...

During the past two weeks, Jefferson County has experienced its greatest increase in COVID-19 cases since December of 2020. There has been widespread transmission throughout all areas of our county. Due to the high number of cases, Jefferson County...

Public health departments in Montana have been assessing how to balance CDC’s guidance related to vaccinated individuals with Montana’s recent legislation prohibiting discrimination based on vaccination status. This summer the CDC updated...

During the early summer months, I was cautiously optimistic that our county was moving toward a healthy trend related to COVID-19 illness. Case counts and hospitalizations were down. Vaccination rates have consistently increased. Public health staff...

One of the things I love most about Montana is its big, blue skies and fresh air. I have been looking forward to being outside and enjoying some summertime activities. Unfortunately, Montana is experiencing a very hot, dry summer. With the heat and...

This year has been one like no other. It has been exhausting. There have been long work hours filled with stressful experiences. It has been difficult to maintain healthy habits. Getting enough rest has been especially challenging. Last week I took...

This week we pay tribute to the fathers, grandfathers and men who step up and make a difference in our lives. June is also observed as Men’s Health Month. So how healthy is that important man in your life? When was the last time he had a physical...

The past few weeks have allowed me some time for reflection on the past year. Here is no doubt this has been a difficult year. Our lives and routines have been disrupted. We have been pushed outside our comfort zones and have faced the fragility of l...

Children have played an important role in my personal and professional life. Children bring joy and energy to life. As a child, I wanted to grow up to be a mother or a nurse. I have had the fortune of becoming both. As an adult, I recognize the best...

Health is a lifelong journey. For each of us that journey is unique. Every one of us has our own approach to health and wellness. This week, National Women’s Health Week, serves as a reminder for women and girls to take steps toward caring for...

Promoting health and wellness are the pieces of my job that are closest to my heart. Creating opportunities for people to have an awareness of and make choices that improves their overall quality of life brings great satisfaction. I view wellness as...

Vaccination is very much on my mind. Jefferson County Health has been actively administering COVID-19 vaccinations for the past three and a half months. We have participated in training to store, handle and administer the vaccines. Scheduled...

Without volunteers to rely on, it is hard for me to imagine how Jefferson County Health Department would have fulfilled its many responsibilities this year. We have been assisted by mask makers, contact tracers, telephone answers and paper filers....

In late 2020, the first COVID-19 vaccines were approved for use in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. On December 23, 2020, Jefferson County Health Department received its first allotment on Moderna COVID-19 vaccine. We were overjoyed! There was chee...

During the past year, a virus that has changed all our daily lives, amplified the visibility of public health. In the public health field, individuals work to promote healthy living, prevent disease and injury, and determine ways to bring the...

As you know, on February 12, 2021, the statewide mask mandate expired. Masks have been proven to reduce the incidence of disease, protect others and ourselves from COVID-19. "Correct and consistent mask use is a critical step everyone can take to... Full story