GREAT FALLS — Governor Steve Bullock on Thursday evening confirmed four new positive cases of coronavirus (COVID-19) in Montana.
Three of the cases are in Yellowstone County: a woman in her 20s, and two men in their 20s. The fourth is a woman in her 70s, who acquired it through international travel. No other details about these four cases has been released.
The tests, conducted by the Montana Department of Public Health & Human Services (DPPHS) laboratory in Helena, were confirmed Wednesday evening. These four new cases brings Montana’s total number of cases to 15.
DPHHS and the county health departments are following up to learn more details about the patients' exposure risk and travel history, and to identify and communicate with anyone who may have been in close contact with the patients.
All patients will be isolated or quarantined in accordance with public health guidelines. People who came into close contact with them will be monitored for 14 days for fever and respiratory symptoms per CDC guidance.
As of Thursday night (March 19) there are 15 confirmed COVID-19 patients in the state of Montana. Yellowstone County has five reported cases, Missoula has four, Gallatin has at least three, and the following counties have one: Butte-Silver Bow, Broadwater, and Roosevelt.
As of March 19, the public health lab in Helena has completed 947 tests for coronavirus (COVID-19).
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