On Tuesday, a second positive case of Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) was confirmed in a person living in Gallatin County by the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS) and the Gallatin City-County Health Department (GCCHD).
According to Health Officer Matt Kelley, a man in his 20s returned, with symptoms, to Montana from Europe on March 12. Test results were confirmed on March 17. Kelley said in a press release that the man is in good condition at home.
Kelley also stressed that the man was "diligent in self-isolating and that saved many potential contacts and exposures."
"It drives home why it's so important that when people are sick they hunker down in their homes and seek medical care,” Kelley said.
The other eight cases confirmed in Montana are:
- Missoula County: man in his 20s
- Yellowstone County: woman in her 20s
- Gallatin County: man in his 40s; recovering at home; acquired through international travel
- Yellowstone County: woman in her 50s; recovering at home; acquired through international travel
- Butte-Silver Bow County: man in his 50s; recovering at home; acquired domestically in affected areas out of state
- Broadwater County: man in his 50s; recovering at home; acquired domestically in affected areas out of state
- Missoula County (2): a man in his 50s, and a woman in her 30s
NOTE: In addition to the confirmed cases actually IN Montana, there is another Montanan confirmed to have COVID-19. That person, from Lake County, is a part-time Montana resident with no documented exposures or close contacts in Montana, and was not tested in Montana. She was tested and diagnosed in Maryland, where she currently is residing.
We will update this story as we get more information.