riverstone health

A $20,000 gift was made to the RiverStone Health Foundation to "incentivize vaccinations in Yellowstone County," and beginning this Thursday (5/13), $50 will be given to the first 400 residents who "get a dose."

Nearly 128,000 residents will be eligible to receive a vaccine, according to the press release, and appointments for this weeks vaccine clinic at MetraPark are now open for tomorrow, Thursday, and Friday.

To assist those who are traveling to certain destinations, and need to meet the 72-hour deadline for a negative COVID-19 test, RiverStone Health announced they have begun offering tests for travelers.

According to the survey, a "great majority" of residents around Billings "definitely or probably plan" to receive the vaccine.

Free drive-through COVID-19 testing will now be available from 8:30am until 2:30pm weekdays, at RiverStone Health's testing site located at 2173 Overland Avenue in Billings

RiverStone Health is encouraging all residents to take the 5-minute survey, which they say will help in the planning of vaccine distribution.

The Center for Disease Control has already recommended that Americans avoid traveling for Thanksgiving, and any in-person celebrating should only be done "at home with the people you live with."

But, according to the press release, Felton said that more restrictions could still be implemented if the COVID-19 infections begin to increase.

RiverStone Health released the indicators that school officials, and county public health officials will be using, to determine when schools should suspend in-person instruction.

Yellowstone County Health Officer John Felton is walking back the 50% capacity limits ordered for churches earlier this week. Monday's announcement allowed for restaurants, bars, and casinos to operate at 75% capacity, but would have forced churches to operate at 50% capacity.