SHELBY — The Toole County Health Department in Shelby has confirmed two deaths of Toole County residents due to COVID-19. Blair Tomsheck, a nurse with the TCHD, did not release any identifying information about the two patients.
Tomsheck said in a Facebook Live video that they are coordinating with neighboring counties on responding to COVID-19, and reiterated the steps that people should continue to follow to prevent the spread of COVID-19, such as social-distancing, frequent and thorough hand-washing.
“Losing two more Montanans to COVID-19 is a blow to our statewide community. Today’s news is a heartbreaking reminder to us all that we must continue to do everything we can to slow the spread of this disease. Montanans in every corner of our state are keeping the family and friends of these Montanans in our hearts," Gov. Steve Bullock said in a statement.
The family of Bev Rogers told MTN News that she is one of the patients who passed away.
Cheri Rogers Robertson said: "We’d like to say is she absolutely loved her family immensely and always had a sense of humor even right up to the end. Another thing is to the public, don’t let this virus become so real to your families before you take it seriously. Follow the social distancing. We weren’t and still aren’t able to get together at a time when that’s the only thing we want to do."
These two deaths bring the confirmed state total to four; The first death was 77-year old Lincoln County resident Jim Tomlin, whose death was reported on Friday. On Sunday afternoon, public health officials confirmed the death of a Madison County woman who had tested positive for COVID-19.
The State of Montana was reporting on Monday morning that there are now 171 confirmed cases of COVID-19 (coronavirus) in Montana and four deaths.
Officials in Montana are keeping a list of confirmed cases in the Treasure State on an updated map and website - click here to visit the site. There have now been eight hospitalizations of COVID-19 patients in Montana.
- NOTE: Some confirmed cases are being re-assigned to other counties - for instance, a Glacier County case was re-assigned to Toole County, because the patient was tested and treated in Glacier County (Cut Bank), but actually lives in Toole County. That has happened in several cases. We know that it can be confusing - we are trying to keep things as accurate as possible as the situation changes.
Montana is currently under a "stay at home" order due to the coronavirus pandemic.