Montana reported 9 new cases of COVID-19 on Tuesday, June 23.
The state conducted 953 new tests for a total of 73,923 tests.
Big Horn and Cascade County each reported 3 new cases, while Dawson, Lewis and Clark, and Yellowstone counties each reported 1 new case.
County Gender Age Range Date Reported
- Big Horn F 30-39 06/22/2020
- Big Horn M 30-39 06/22/2020
- Big Horn M 60-69 06/22/2020
- Cascade F 30-39 06/22/2020
- Cascade F 10-19 06/22/2020
- Cascade F 10-19 06/22/2020
- Dawson M 60-69 06/22/2020
- Lewis and Clark M 0-9 06/22/2020
- Yellowstone F 60-69 06/22/2020
There are 15 current hospitalizations as of Tuesday
The state reports there are a reported 156 active cases with 550 people listed as recovered.
The number of deaths remains at 21. There have been six deaths in Toole County, three in Yellowstone County, two in Cascade County, and two in Flathead County. The other deaths have been reported in Big Horn, Gallatin, Lincoln, Madison, and Missoula counties.
Although the state is reporting 743 total cases, MTN does not include one case counted in Jefferson County that was traced to a resident of the county who was out of state and did not contract the virus in Montana.
As with previous reporting of COVID-19 cases, the lack of specific information about cases - such as where a patient lives or works, or where the person may have traveled - has some people upset, but the disclosure of patient information is regulated at both the federal and the state level. Click here to read more about privacy regulations and what can/can't be released.
Custer County health officials said Thursday they are "strongly recommending" the county return to phase one of the governor's reopening plan for two weeks because of a recent spike in COVID-19 cases.
Moving back to phase one means reducing capacity in bars and restaurants back to 50 percent, reducing the size of a larger gathering, including athletic and community events and assemblies, and other restrictions.
As of Sunday, the number of deaths attributed to COVID-19 in the United States stands at 119,728, according to a database kept by Johns Hopkins University. The database shows more than 2.25 million total cases in the U.S.
- Gov. Bullock says no change in state restrictions as spike in COVID-19 cases emerge
- Medical experts warn against quarantine fatigue
- Nurse warns public ‘COVID-19 is very real’
- 4-H families give back with homemade masks
President Donald Trump committed to a second stimulus package Monday in a wide-ranging interview with The E.W. Scripps Company.
When asked by Washington Correspondent Joe St. George if he plans on getting Americans a second stimulus check, the president said yes.
"We will be doing another stimulus package, it will be very good, very generous," President Trump said.
When asked how much money people will receive with the next stimulus bill, Trump said, "You'll find out about it."
The U.S. is seeing a dangerous increase in coronavirus cases in the South and West.
As the nation pushes forward with re-opening, half of all states are now averaging more new cases each day than they have in weeks.
A fifth of new infections globally are in the U.S.
Florida and Texas are setting records for positive tests, and their governors are warning they may need to crack down on people who aren't social distancing.
REOPENING THE BIG SKY, PHASE TWO
Montana moved to "phase two" of Gov. Bullock's "Reopening The Big Sky" plan on Monday, June 1. Bullock noted that Montana continues to have the lowest number of positive COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations per capita in the nation.
Bullock outlined the following indicators which prompted him - in consultation with public health officials and disaster response personnel - to move into Phase Two beginning on June 1:
- A downward trajectory of positive tests as a percent of total tests within a 14-day period.
- The current ability to contact and trace, along with plans to add additional contact tracers to the existing workforce.
- Ensuring that health care workers have the supplies they need to treat COVID-19 and non-COVID-19 patients.
- Ramping up testing capacity to eventually meet a target of 60,000 tests a month and prioritizing testing for vulnerable Montanans and tribal communities. A total of 5,600 tests were conducted last week. Increased testing continues with sentinel testing efforts in nursing homes and assisting living facilities, testing events in tribal areas, and drive through testing being conducted at a few sites.
Here are some of the highlights of phase two:
- Avoid gatherings in groups of more than 50 people in circumstances that do not readily allow for appropriate physical distancing. Groups larger than 50 people should be canceled unless physical distancing can be maintained. It is recommended to continue to social distance in gatherings of any size.
- Restaurants, bars, breweries, distilleries, and casinos remains in the same operations status as Phase One, but with an increase to 75% capacity.
- Gyms, indoor group fitness classes, pool, and hot tubs can operate at 75% capacity and only if they can adhere to strict physical distancing and they exercise frequent sanitation protocols.
- Concert halls, bowling alleys, and other places of assembly may operate with reduced capacity and if they adhere to strict physical distancing guidelines.
- All businesses are required to follow the social distancing and sanitation guidelines established in Phase One, and Montanans are strongly encouraged to continue sanitation practices, including handwashing and wearing masks in public places like grocery stores.
The Rebound
The Rebound: Montana brings you stories to help navigate these uncertain times caused by the coronavirus pandemic — from getting back to work to making ends meet — along with tips on how to manage the pressure and a look at how those in the community continue to step up.
