Montana COVID-19 case numbers update - July 20

HELENA — Montana state health officials reported 88 new COVID-19 cases on Monday morning, according to the Montana Response COVID-19 tracking map.

Two additional deaths have also been reported bringing the total number of deaths in Montana related to coronavirus to 39.

Both of the new deaths are connected to the Canyon Creek Memory Care facility in Billings where a deadly outbreak has now claimed 12 lives. RiverStone Health issued this press release Monday morning:

RiverStone Health, Yellowstone County’s public health department, is reporting two additional COVID-19 related deaths stemming from the outbreak at Canyon Creek Memory Care.

Saturday, July 18, a woman in her 80s passed away at Canyon Creek Memory Care.

Sunday, July 19, a man in his 80s also passed away at Canyon Creek Memory Care.

To protect the privacy of the individuals and their families, RiverStone Health will not release further information about the deaths.

These most recent deaths in Yellowstone County are reflected on today’s state COVID-19 tracking map. In the last two weeks, since Monday, July 6, a total of 12 residents from Canyon Creek have died.

“Our hearts are heavy as we mourn the passing of these residents. Saying goodbye to a loved one is never easy and the tragedy of COVID-19 related deaths is all the more heartbreaking. Our sincerest condolences to the families and friends of these individuals,” said John Felton, Yellowstone County Health Officer and RiverStone Health President and CEO.

To date, 717 Yellowstone County residents have been infected with COVID-19 and 17 have died.

Governor Steve Bullock issued the following statement regarding the deaths:

“Two more Montanans have sadly passed from COVID-19. My heart goes out to their families and community. As we continue to see the tragic situation unfold at Canyon Creek, I call on Montanans to keep their guard up. We do have the ability to fight this virus and can protect our loved ones by wearing a mask and socially distancing, especially around those who are high risk.”

The Montana Response COVID-19 tracking map shows the number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the Treasure State is now at 2,621.

Monday's data shows the total number of cases in the state now stands at 2,651.

The state tracking map is reporting 2,621 cases due in part to differences in reporting by county health departments which often receive information on confirmed COVID-19 cases before state officials.

Eight additional COVID-19 cases are being reported in Flathead County as well as four additional cases in Missoula County. Three additional COVID-19 cases are being reported in both Lake County and Lincoln County.

To date, 1,429 Montana residents have recovered from COVID-19.

There are currently 48 people hospitalized for COVID 19 in Montana and a total of 133,159 tests have been completed, according to the state tracking map.

There are currently 1,1,83 active COVID-19 cases. There have been 39 COVID-19 related deaths to date in the Treasure State.

* It should be noted that local health departments often learn about results from private labs and updates their numbers before the state of Montana does, Additionally, there may also be differences in reporting criteria, so the local numbers may differ from those that appear on the Montana COVID-19 tracking map.

Total Confirmed Cases and New Daily Cases by County

• Gallatin County: 615 Total Cases | 34 New Cases
• Yellowstone County: 717 Total Cases | 15 New Cases
• Flathead County: 132 Total Cases | 12 New Cases
• Cascade County: 80 Total Cases | 8 New Cases
• Big Horn County: 146 Total Cases | 4 New Cases
• Missoula County: 164 Total Cases | 4 New Cases
• Lake County: 105 Total Cases | 3 New Cases
• Lewis and Clark County: 83 Total Cases | 3 New Cases
• Lincoln County: 48 Total Cases | 3 New Cases
• Madison County: 45 Total Cases | 1 New Cases
• McCone County: 1 Total Cases | 1 New Cases

• Beaverhead County: 9 Total Cases | 0 New Cases
• Blaine County: 4 Total Cases | 0 New Cases
• Broadwater County: 9 Total Cases | 0 New Cases
• Carbon County: 41 Total Cases | 0 New Cases
• Custer County: 41 Total Cases | 0 New Cases
• Dawson County: 8 Total Cases | 0 New Cases
• Deer Lodge County: 8 Total Cases | 0 New Cases
• Fallon County: 1 Total Cases | 0 New Cases
• Fergus County: 4 Total Cases | 0 New Cases
• Garfield County: 11 Total Cases | 0 New Cases
• Glacier County: 34 Total Cases | 0 New Cases
• Golden Valley County: 3 Total Cases | 0 New Cases
• Granite County: 6 Total Cases | 0 New Cases
• Hill County: 35 Total Cases | 0 New Cases
• Jefferson County: 14 Total Cases | 0 New Cases
• Liberty County: 1 Total Cases | 0 New Cases
• Meagher County: 4 Total Cases | 0 New Cases
• Musselshell County: 1 Total Cases | 0 New Cases
• Park County: 30 Total Cases | 0 New Cases
• Pondera County: 5 Total Cases | 0 New Cases
• Ravalli County: 50 Total Cases | 0 New Cases
• Richland County: 34 Total Cases | 0 New Cases
• Roosevelt County: 9 Total Cases | 0 New Cases
• Rosebud County: 16 Total Cases | 0 New Cases
• Sanders County: 4 Total Cases | 0 New Cases
• Sheridan County: 2 Total Cases | 0 New Cases
• Silver Bow County: 30 Total Cases | 0 New Cases
• Stillwater County: 13 Total Cases | 0 New Cases
• Sweet Grass County: 2 Total Cases | 0 New Cases
• Teton County: 15 Total Cases | 0 New Cases
• Toole County: 31 Total Cases | 0 New Cases
• Treasure County: 2 Total Cases | 0 New Cases
• Valley County: Total Cases | 0 New Cases
• Wheatland County: 2 Total Cases | 0 New Cases
• Wibaux County: 1 Total Cases | 0 New Cases

Gov. Steve Bullock ordered on July 15 that face masks be worn in indoor spaces in all counties in Montana with at least four active COVID-19 cases. Face masks will also be required for anyone attending outdoor gatherings with 50 or more people, Bullock said at a news conference in Helena. Click here for details on the directive.

The City of Whitefish passed a resolution requiring the wearing of face masks in indoor public settings on July 14. The decision was made during a special meeting where the public was also allowed to comment on the proposal.

Missoula became the first major city in Montana to require the wearing of face coverings while inside in a public setting on July 9. The rule requires people over the age of 12 to wear face masks while inside in a public setting. Missoula County is the second county in the state to issue a mask mandate with Big Horn County being the first.

Gov. Bullock said on July 2 the worst may not be over – and urged Montanans to take precautions and wear face-masks in public. He stopped short of requiring face-masks in public, saying he wants it to become “socially acceptable."

Gov. Bullock announced on June 4 that Montana will be expanding COVID-19 relief grant opportunities to help small businesses, local governments and help get more Montana meat to people’s tables.

Montana moved to "phase two" of Gov. Bullock's "Reopening The Big Sky" plan on Monday, June 1. Bullock noted that Montana continues to have the lowest number of positive COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations per capita in the nation.

Bullock outlined the following indicators which prompted him - in consultation with public health officials and disaster response personnel - to move into Phase Two beginning on June 1:

• A downward trajectory of positive tests as a percent of total tests within a 14-day period.
• The current ability to contact and trace, along with plans to add additional contact tracers to the existing workforce.
• Ensuring that health care workers have the supplies they need to treat COVID-19 and non-COVID-19 patients.
• Ramping up testing capacity to eventually meet a target of 60,000 tests a month and prioritizing testing for vulnerable Montanans and tribal communities. A total of 5,600 tests were conducted last week. Increased testing continues with sentinel testing efforts in nursing homes and assisting living facilities, testing events in tribal areas, and drive through testing being conducted at a few sites.

Here are some of the highlights of phase two:

• Avoid gatherings in groups of more than 50 people in circumstances that do not readily allow for appropriate physical distancing. Groups larger than 50 people should be canceled unless physical distancing can be maintained. It is recommended to continue to social distance in gatherings of any size.
• Restaurants, bars, breweries, distilleries, and casinos remains in the same operations status as Phase One, but with an increase to 75% capacity.
• Gyms, indoor group fitness classes, pool, and hot tubs can operate at 75% capacity and only if they can adhere to strict physical distancing and they exercise frequent sanitation protocols.
• Concert halls, bowling alleys, and other places of assembly may operate with reduced capacity and if they adhere to strict physical distancing guidelines.
• All businesses are required to follow the social distancing and sanitation guidelines established in Phase One, and Montanans are strongly encouraged to continue sanitation practices, including hand washing and wearing masks in public places like grocery stores.

We know the COVID-19 pandemic is changing our community. To keep you and your family informed as we move forward, we're beginning a new series of reports. They are stories that will help all of us navigate through these uncertain times. In the coming weeks and months, we'll be focusing on “The Rebound: Montana.”

It is a series of reports, videos, and information that show our commitment to stories that will help you as our communities begin to rebound - from what you'll need to know when it's time to go back to work, to how those in the community continue to step up and help others.