MISSOULA — The Missoula City-County Health Department (MCCHD) on Friday reported 84 additional COVID-19 cases since the Thursday update.
The 84 cases mark the most reported in Missoula County in a single day since Sept. 1.
There are currently 364 active cases in Missoula County and over 1,160 close contacts are being monitored.
Local public health officials are reporting 987 cumulative cases* to date in Missoula County, including 13 epi-linked cases.**
There have been 620 recoveries and three COVID-19 related deaths to date.
Fourteen individuals are hospitalized in Missoula County facilities as of Friday including six county residents.
MCCHD reports that 19 of the newly reported COVID-19 cases are from the University of Montana. UM now has 89 active cases and a total of 149 cases since Aug. 12.
"Our COVID-19 Infectious Disease Team continues working hard conducting efficient and accurate case investigation and contact tracing. Monitoring active cases and notifying close contacts occurs 7 days a week," a news release states.
MCCHD will notify close contacts privately and individually as quickly as possible.
Missoula County residents can call 406-258-INFO weekdays between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. to discuss COVID information or to be connected with a screener/scheduler for COVID-19 testing if they are currently experiencing COVID-compatible symptoms.
MCCHD is urging people to continue practicing health and safety behaviors.
- Wash your hands thoroughly and frequently.
- Keep at least 6 feet of safe space between you and others as the environment permits.
- Wear a face covering that's fully sealed around your nose and mouth.
- Remember that physical spacing does not replace face coverings - these are tools to be used together for maximum efficacy and safety.
Missoula became the first major city in Montana to require the wearing of face coverings on July 9.
*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.