MISSOULA — Local health officials are reporting an increase in the number of COVID-19 cases in Missoula County.
The Missoula City-County Health Department was reporting a cumulative positive case* total of 132 on Friday -- including three epi-linked cases**
The latest numbers show there are still 53 active COVID-19 cases in Missoula County. To date, there have been 78 recoveries and one death.
The Montana Response COVID-19 tracking map showed the number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Missoula at 123 as of the Friday morning update.
The health department has paused Sentinel Testing for asymptomatic individuals due to the recent surge in positive cases.
People who are not experiencing symptoms but fall within a high-risk category are urged to contact the health department (406) 258-4770.
Missoula became the first major city in Montana to require the wearing of face coverings on Thursday.
Local officials have approved a rule that requires people over the age of 12 to wear face masks while inside in a public setting.
*the Missoula City-County Health Department may be alerted to additional cases before the Montana Department of Health and Human Services.
** Cases that are “epi-linked” developed symptoms while in quarantine after being identified as close contacts to cases that tested positive.