GREAT FALLS — There were 394 new COVID-19 cases reported in Montana on Thursday morning, and the statewide death toll since the pandemic began has now reached 1,081, according to data compiled by MTN News. One new death was reported in Yellowstone County, and three deaths were reported by Lewis & Clark County health officials.
The number of active cases in the state is currently 4,703, according to MTN News, and there has been a cumulative total of 88,461 cases of the virus in Montana. Of the total cases, 82,677 have recovered. There are currently 192 people hospitalized for treatment of the virus, and the cumulative number of hospitalizations is 3,917. The number of tests performed in the state has reached 862,427, an increase of 7,358 during the previous 24-hour reporting period.
Governor Greg Gianforte on Wednesday issued a new directive to replace several directives related to the COVID-19 pandemic. The new directive repeals some restrictions on Montana small businesses, including restrictions on hours of operation and capacity. However, this change will not override orders from county boards of health that have adopted their own capacity or hour restrictions. Several large counties, including Cascade and Lewis & Clark, approved such regulations in the last few months. Click here to read more.
SOURCES: The numbers reported above reflect the latest data from the official Montana COVID website as well as supplemental data from county health departments. The disparity between numbers provided by the MT Department of Public Health & Human Services (DPHHS) and numbers from county health departments continues to grow as COVID cases escalate in Montana. MTN News uses both state data and county data to provide more accurate and timely information. As a result, numbers reported by MTN do not align with the DPHHS figures.
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 experience more severe symptoms, and some do require hospitalization. Every person who tests positive for COVID, however, 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.