Newly released state numbers show an additional 1,232 COVID-19 cases have been confirmed in Montana.
Newly confirmed cases are being reported in Flathead, Granite, Lake, Lincoln, Mineral, Missoula, Powell, Ravalli and Sanders counties.
Yellowstone, Flathead, Gallatin, Missoula and Silver Bow counties are seeing the most newly confirmed cases as of Wednesday morning.
The Montana Response COVID-19 tracking map shows the number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the Treasure State is now at 50,582 -- up from 49,328 on Tuesday.
To date, 30,400 Montana residents have recovered from COVID-19. The number of active COVID-19 cases in Montana stands at 19,621 -- which is down from 19,750 reported on Tuesday.
There are currently 463 people hospitalized for COVID 19 in Montana, up from the 456 reported on Tuesday.
A total of 591,406 tests have been completed, according to the state tracking map.
The cumulative number of deaths in Montana has risen from 543 on Monday to 561 according to the Montana Response COVID-19 tracking map.
*Numbers reported by the state each day occasionally differ from those reported by county public health departments due to periodic lag times in reporting data to the state.
Total Confirmed, New Daily, Active Cases by County
- Yellowstone County Cases: 9,501 Total | 258 New | 4,844 Active
- Flathead County Cases: 5,373 Total | 129 New | 1,804 Active
- Gallatin County Cases: 6,065 Total | 126 New | 1,033 Active
- Missoula County Cases: 3,699 Total | 111 New | 2,080 Active
- Silver Bow County Cases: 1,388 Total | 107 New | 636 Active
- Lewis and Clark County Cases: 1,993 Total | 70 New | 772 Active
- Cascade County Cases: 4,180 Total | 55 New | 3,339 Active
- Custer County Cases: 615 Total | 49 New | 185 Active
- Jefferson County Cases: 357 Total | 22 New | 98 Active
- Big Horn County Cases: 1,719 Total | 20 New | 724 Active
- Dawson County Cases: 476 Total | 20 New | 79 Active
- Pondera County Cases: 252 Total | 16 New | 52 Active
- Ravalli County Cases: 842 Total | 16 New | 303 Active
- Lincoln County Cases: 590 Total | 15 New | 222 Active
- Deer Lodge County Cases: 626 Total | 14 New | 59 Active
- Fallon County Cases: 182 Total | 14 New | 27 Active
- Hill County Cases: 1,176 Total | 14 New | 246 Active
- Sweet Grass County Cases: 202 Total | 14 New | 48 Active
- Lake County Cases: 852 Total | 13 New | 267 Active
- Prairie County Cases: 60 Total | 12 New | 16 Active
- Beaverhead County Cases: 488 Total | 11 New | 105 Active
- Daniels County Cases: 79 Total | 11 New | 16 Active
- Park County Cases: 487 Total | 10 New | 188 Active
- Stillwater County Cases: 373 Total | 10 New | 70 Active
- Blaine County Cases: 472 Total | 7 New | 103 Active
- Carbon County Cases: 497 Total | 7 New | 105 Active
- Fergus County Cases: 458 Total | 7 New | 378 Active
- Madison County Cases: 339 Total | 7 New | 81 Active
- Chouteau County Cases: 216 Total | 6 New | 60 Active
- Roosevelt County Cases: 1,151 Total | 6 New | 510 Active
- Garfield County Cases: 55 Total | 5 New | 18 Active
- Rosebud County Cases: 830 Total | 5 New | 69 Active
- Broadwater County Cases: 147 Total | 4 New | 30 Active
- Granite County Cases: 107 Total | 4 New | 20 Active
- Judith Basin County Cases: 43 Total | 4 New | 35 Active
- Liberty County Cases: 56 Total | 4 New | 15 Active
- Phillips County Cases: 234 Total | 4 New | 26 Active
- McCone County Cases: 81 Total | 3 New | 6 Active
- Sanders County Cases: 185 Total | 3 New | 46 Active
- Teton County Cases: 139 Total | 3 New | 20 Active
- Carter County Cases: 99 Total | 2 New | 5 Active
- Glacier County Cases: 1,119 Total | 2 New | 137 Active
- Mineral County Cases: 29 Total | 2 New | 9 Active
- Sheridan County Cases: 217 Total | 2 New | 80 Active
- Valley County Cases: 502 Total | 2 New | 60 Active
- Wheatland County Cases: 92 Total | 2 New | 68 Active
- Golden Valley County Cases: 22 Total | 1 New | 18 Active
- Powder River County Cases: 79 Total | 1 New | 10 Active
- Powell County Cases: 393 Total | 1 New | 88 Active
- Richland County Cases: 488 Total | 1 New | 225 Active
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 federal Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) released data in late August which emphasizes that people with contributing or underlying medical conditions are at much greater risk of dying from COVID-19. Click here to read more. The CDC also recently released an update to their research into fatality rates associated with COVID-19. A summary of COVID-19 survival rates is shown below; the summary is one of five based on several scenarios. The CDC data and scenarios can be found here.
Gov. Steve Bullock announced a tightening of the existing COVID-19 restrictions in Montana on Nov. 17. The new rules will go into effect on Friday, Nov. 20. Facemasks will be required in all counties regardless of the number of active cases. Additionally, the capacity at restaurants, bars, and casinos will be reduced to 50%. A limit of six people per table will also go into effect. The businesses must close by 10 p.m.
Missoula County officials announced tighter COVID-19 restrictions on Oct. 27 due to a continued surge in cases. The new rules take effect at 8 a.m. on Oct. 29 and will be reassessed on Nov. 12. Business capacity will be limited to 50%, group sizes will be reduced to 25, and alcohol service at bars will end at 10 p.m.
Gov. Steve Bullock discussed measures that can be taken to make sure that more businesses comply with COVID-19 related health orders on Oct. 22, saying both state and federal resources are being provided to assist counties that need help enforcing mandates.
Gov. Bullock ordered all Montana public and private school buildings to require face masks, in counties with four or more active COVID-19 cases on Aug. 12. He added that “encouraging” face masks at re-opened schools won’t be enough.
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.
Gov. 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.