GREAT FALLS — The City-County Health Department in Great Falls on Monday afternoon announced that there have been nine new COVID deaths in Cascade County since Thursday, November 19th.
There have now been a total of 67 COVID-19 related deaths since March.
The CCHD said the nine people were: a man in his 40s; a woman in her 60s; two men in their 70s; a woman in her 80s; and four men in their 80s. No other details have been released due to federal and state privacy laws.
“I am deeply saddened that more lives have been lost to this virus,” said CCHD Health Officer Trisha Gardner in a news release. “Our heartfelt condolences go out to the family and friends of these individuals. Please continue to support these families, as well as all your community members by taking all the steps available to prevent further spread from happening.”
The CCHD recommends the following:
- Staying home when you are sick and getting tested if symptoms are consistent with COVID-19
- Limiting interactions with others and thinking critically about the necessity of engaging in certain events/outings/gatherings
- Social distancing by at least 6 feet wherever possible
- Universal masking and proper mask wearing
- Good sanitation practices and hand washing
- Isolating if you are positive, and notifying everyone you were in contact with for 48 hours prior to the onset of symptoms or 48 hours prior to test date
- Quarantining if you have had close contact with a positive case, and continuing to quarantine for 2 weeks from the time you were exposed
As of mid-day on Monday, Nov. 23, MTN News is reporting a cumulative total of 628 deaths in Montana due to COVID-19, an increase of seven since Sunday.
RESTRICTIONS: Tighter restrictions went into effect on Friday, November 20th, due to the continuing increase in the number of cases and deaths. Capacity at restaurants, bars, and casinos will be reduced to 50%, with a limit of six people per table. 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.