HELENA — There were 691 newly confirmed COVID-19 cases reported in Montana on Thursday, and the statewide death toll reached 749, according to data compiled by MTN News during a 24-hour period.
Newly confirmed cases are being reported in Flathead, Granite, Lake, Lincoln, Mineral, Missoula, Powell, Ravalli and Sanders counties.
There are currently 15,436 active cases in the state, and there has been a cumulative total of 65,605 cases of the virus in Montana, MTN News reports. Of the total cases, 49,240 have recovered.
There are currently 474 people hospitalized, and the cumulative number of hospitalizations is 2,762.
The number of tests performed in the state has reached 669,081, an increase of 5,500 during the previous 24-hour reporting period.
The numbers reported by MTN reflect the latest data from the Montana COVID website, along with supplemental data received from county health departments.
TOTAL/NEW/ACTIVE CASES (state data)
- Flathead County Cases: 7,097 Total | 125 New | 2,075 Active
- Gallatin County Cases: 7,622 Total | 99 New | 506 Active
- Yellowstone County Cases: 11,383 Total | 97 New | 4,799 Active
- Missoula County Cases: 4,927 Total | 73 New | 1,177 Active
- Silver Bow County Cases: 2,299 Total | 41 New | 584 Active
- Cascade County Cases: 5,272 Total | 37 New | 2,207 Active
- Ravalli County Cases: 1,620 Total | 37 New | 552 Active
- Lewis and Clark County Cases: 3,093 Total | 31 New | 1,463 Active
- Big Horn County Cases: 1,835 Total | 27 New | 207 Active
- Fergus County Cases: 674 Total | 25 New | 155 Active
- Lake County Cases: 1,127 Total | 24 New | 173 Active
- Phillips County Cases: 310 Total | 24 New | 54 Active
- Hill County Cases: 1,389 Total | 20 New | 157 Active
- Lincoln County Cases: 790 Total | 20 New | 152 Active
- Valley County Cases: 584 Total | 18 New | 55 Active
- Beaverhead County Cases: 592 Total | 17 New | 42 Active
- Dawson County Cases: 676 Total | 16 New | 54 Active
- Toole County Cases: 617 Total | 16 New | 26 Active
- Sheridan County Cases: 301 Total | 15 New | 38 Active
- Rosebud County Cases: 897 Total | 13 New | 34 Active
- Madison County Cases: 425 Total | 12 New | 27 Active
- Deer Lodge County Cases: 751 Total | 11 New | 40 Active
- Custer County Cases: 764 Total | 9 New | 68 Active
- Broadwater County Cases: 207 Total | 8 New | 47 Active
- Granite County Cases: 134 Total | 7 New | 21 Active
- Roosevelt County Cases: 1,265 Total | 7 New | 77 Active
- Teton County Cases: 223 Total | 7 New | 47 Active
- Carbon County Cases: 605 Total | 6 New | 35 Active
- Pondera County Cases: 319 Total | 6 New | 36 Active
- Jefferson County Cases: 521 Total | 5 New | 84 Active
- Sanders County Cases: 266 Total | 5 New | 31 Active
- Stillwater County Cases: 452 Total | 5 New | 90 Active
- Blaine County Cases: 539 Total | 4 New | 32 Active
- Chouteau County Cases: 290 Total | 3 New | 43 Active
- Glacier County Cases: 1,182 Total | 3 New | 24 Active
- McCone County Cases: 111 Total | 3 New | 14 Active
- Mineral County Cases: 79 Total | 3 New | 25 Active
- Musselshell County Cases: 228 Total | 3 New | 35 Active
- Park County Cases: 673 Total | 3 New | 154 Active
- Richland County Cases: 715 Total | 3 New | 316 Active
- Wheatland County Cases: 109 Total | 3 New | 8 Active
- Fallon County Cases: 251 Total | 2 New | 22 Active
- Treasure County Cases: 32 Total | 2 New | 4 Active
- Daniels County Cases: 124 Total | 1 New | 20 Active
- Judith Basin County Cases: 66 Total | 1 New | 20 Active
- Powell County Cases: 720 Total | 1 New | 121 Active
- Sweet Grass County Cases: 265 Total | 1 New | 24 Active
NOTE: The disparity between state data from the Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS) and local data from county health departments continues to grow as COVID-19 cases escalate in Montana. MTN has decided to use a combination of these sources to deliver more accurate information across all media platforms. Local county health departments may be alerted to cases before DPHHS. As those counties share that information with the public, MTN feels it should be reflected in our reporting. Using that local data means there will be times when MTN coronavirus data does not align with the state report. Click here for the Montana COVID site.
RESTRICTIONS: Tighter statewide restrictions went into effect on Nov. 20 due to the continuing increase in the number of cases and deaths. Masks will be required in all counties regardless of the number of active cases. Capacity at restaurants, bars, and casinos will be reduced to 50%, with a limit of six people per table. The businesses must close by 10 p.m. Public gatherings will also be limited to 25 people where social distancing is not possible. Click here to read the full text of the directive.
CONTEXT: Not every person who tests positive actually becomes ill or exhibits symptoms. Many do not; of those who do become sick, some experience mild symptoms and do not require hospitalization. Others, however, do require hospitalization, as noted in the daily update on the number of people hospitalized. However, every person who tests positive for COVID-19 has the potential to spread the virus to other people, including family members and friends, which is why public health officials continue to encourage everyone to wear a mask and maintain at least the recommended six feet of "social distance" when in public. The CDC released data in late August which emphasizes that people with contributing or chronic medical conditions are at much greater risk of dying from COVID-19. Click here to read more.
Click here for information on how to contact county or tribal health departments.