BILLINGS — Yellowstone County health officials reported Thursday the death of another county resident from COVID-19.
In the first 15 days of December, 12 Yellowstone County residents have died of COVID-19 related illness and 146 county residents have died since the pandemic began, RiverStone Health officials said in a press release.
The latest death occurred on Tuesday when a man in his 70s died in a Billings hospital.
“I extend condolences to the family and friends of the Yellowstone County man who passed away Tuesday,” said John Felton, Yellowstone County public health officer and RiverStone Health CEO. “Each COVID-19 death reminds us that we must remain vigilant even though the first doses of a vaccine have arrived in Yellowstone County."
"It will be months before there is enough vaccine to protect all of us. Until most of us have received safe, effective vaccinations, everyone should keep taking basic, personal precautions to slow the virus spread, Felton added.
To date, 12,979 Yellowstone County residents have been infected with COVID-19. Additional information on the pandemic can be found here.