GREAT FALLS — According to a Friday afternoon update from the Montana Department of Public Health & Human Services, there are now 12 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Toole County, an increase of six from yesterday.
In addition, three of Montana's five COVID-19 deaths have been Toole County residents. The estimated population is about 4,900 for Toole County; for Shelby, the county seat, the number is about 3,200.
The state COVID-19 website provides the following information about the 12 confirmed cases in Toole County: One female between ages of 10-19; three females between 20-29; two females between 30-39; one female between 40-49; one male between 50-59; one male and one female between 70-79; one female between 80-89; one female between 90-99.
MTN News has received several unconfirmed reports that the three deaths in Toole County were residents of an assisted living facility or nursing home, but TCHD officials have so far declined to confirm or deny the reports. TCHD director Blair Tomsheck said in a news release on Friday: "We are working closely with all healthcare entities in Toole County to address these ongoing cases as they are related to current investigations."
(UPDATE) The Marias Medical Center in Shelby said on March 26 that one of the residents of the Marias Heritage Center tested positive for COVID-19. The next day, they said that some of the positive COVID-19 tests are from Marias Heritage Center employees. They also said: "This situation also exposed others to COVID-19 and, as such, we expect there could be other positives." Marias Heritage Center is a 38 apartment, state-licensed facility in Shelby.
As of Friday afternoon (April 3), there have been a total of 262 confirmed cases of COVID-19 (coronavirus) in Montana.
Governor Steve Bullock said on Tuesday afternoon that 32 patients in Montana have recovered. No new numbers for recoveries have been released since then. There have now been 24 hospitalizations of COVID-19 patients in Montana. As of Thursday morning, the DPHHS public health lab in Helena has completed 6,057 tests for COVID-19.
# OF CASES BY COUNTY: Gallatin County - 101 Cases; Yellowstone County - 38 Cases; Flathead County - 20 Cases; Missoula County - 17 Cases; Lewis and Clark County - 13 Cases; Toole County - 12 Cases; Silver Bow County - 11 Cases; Cascade County - 11 Cases; Madison County - 6 Cases; Park County - 6 Cases; Lincoln County - 6 Cases; Broadwater County - 4 Cases; Lake County - 4 Cases; Deer Lodge County - 3 Cases; Jefferson County - 2 Cases; Carbon County - 1 Cases; Ravalli County - 1 Cases; Musselshell County - 1 Cases; Meagher County - 1 Cases; Roosevelt County - 1 Cases; Hill County - 1 Cases; Liberty County - 1 Cases; Glacier County - 1 Cases
CONTINUING COVERAGE:
- Unemployment claims skyrocket in Montana due to COVID-19
- National Guard troops activated for COVID-19 response in Montana
- Governor prohibits evictions and foreclosures "stay at home" order
- Governor orders 14-day quarantine for travelers arriving in Montana
- What businesses are considered "essential" in Montana?
- Likely take at least 2 weeks for stimulus checks to arrive
- Two COVID-19 deaths confirmed in Toole County
- 77-year old man identified as first COVID-19 death in Montana
- Cascade County law enforcement officials clarify "stay at home"
- Unemployment claims skyrocket in Montana
- Restrictions and closures extended in Montana due coronavirus
- Yellowstone National Park is closed to all visitors until further notice
