MISSOULA — The Missoula City-County Health Department reported four additional COVID-related deaths as well as a record number of new cases for the county on Monday.
The four people who passed away over the weekend were women - age 70 and older. The latest deaths bring Missoula County's total to 31 since the start of the pandemic.
Missoula County also reports 173 new COVID cases since Friday -- including 106 from Saturday -- a record number of cases reported in one day for our county.
The Missoula City-County Health Department issued tighter restrictions to businesses on Oct. 29. Now, almost two weeks out from that date, our chances of loosening up restrictions are looking grim.
“We're doing a good job pushing back, but it's worrisome how much it continues to rise, especially when you can see in other communities how fast...the magnitude of those numbers. So, I think things are going to get a lot harder, unfortunately, before they get better,” Missoula County Public Health Officer Ellen Leahy told MTN News.
Assuming the health department will not be loosening restrictions anytime soon, Leahy said she really hopes to see the same support for our business community that we had back in March.