HELENA — An additional 44 COVID-19 related deaths have been confirmed in Ravalli County as the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS) continues to conduct "ongoing data reconciliation related to death certificates," according to a news release.
A total of 51 COVID-19 deaths were reported on Wednesday DPHHS with the agency reporting they occurred over the span of several months in 2021. A total of seven deaths occurred between March and August; eight occurred in September; 27 occurred in October, and nine occurred in November.
The newly confirmed information has resulted in the number of COVID-19 related deaths rising to 116 according to the Montana COVID-19 tracking website.
A total of 5,404 COVID-19 cases have been confirmed in Ravalli County including 5,247 recoveries and 116 deaths. There were 41 active cases being reported on Wednesday.
A total of 20,787 Ravalli County residents are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 representing 48% of the eligible population.
Ravalli County Public Health is encouraging residents to apply a layered strategy as a best practice to reduce risk of illness or spreading illness to others. Those strategies include:
- Vaccination with any of the approved COVID-19 vaccines
- Masking when appropriate
- Physical distancing when possible
- Frequent handwashing and sanitizing
- Covering coughs and sneezes
- Staying home when sick
"Public Health would like to thank the many pharmacies such as Corvallis Drug, Timber Ridge, Valley Drug and Florence Community Pharmacy that supply COVID test kits and COVID vaccine. Thank you for all you do to Prevent, Promote and Protect our community," Health Director Tiffany Webber said in a statement released Wednesday afternoon.