GREAT FALLS — As of Tuesday evening (March 24), there are 51 confirmed cases of COVID-19 (coronavirus) in Montana, with 19 of them reported in Gallatin County.
The number is an increase of five from Tuesday morning. The new cases are: three in Gallatin County; one in Yellowstone County; one in Jefferson County.
Governor Steve Bullock hosted a news conference on Tuesday afternoon to give an update on Montana's efforts to curb the spread of coronavirus. Bullock said that his school closure order, which was set to expire Friday, will be extended to April 10. His order to close all non-essential businesses, including bars, casinos, and gyms, was also extended to April 10. Restaurants remain prohibited from allowing people to eat in their dining rooms, but can continue to provide take-out, curb-side, and delivery service (see here). Bullock also banned all gatherings outside of private residences of 10 people or more. Click here to read more.
Here is the total by county:
Gallatin: 19
Yellowstone: 8
Missoula: 6
Flathead: 4
Cascade: 3
Lewis & Clark: 3
Butte-Silver Bow: 3
Madison: 1
Ravalli: 1
Broadwater: 1
Roosevelt: 1
Jefferson: 1
There have not been any deaths in Montana attributed to COVID-19 at this point. Officials in Montana are keeping a list of confirmed cases in the Treasure State on an updated map and website - click here to visit the site.
A spokesman for the Montana COVID-19 Task Force says that positive test results for Montana residents who are currently outside the state will not be included in the totals reported on the website, and said: "The state recognizes that its reporting totals will differ from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) total as a result of these reporting processes." Experts believe the true number of people infected with COVID-19 remains much higher than the number of confirmed cases.
As of Tuesday afternoon, the DPHHS public health lab in Helena has completed 2,001 tests for COVID-19.
Confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the United States have soared above 45,000 as of Tuesday morning, as the number of deaths linked to the disease has reached 591.
Deaths linked to COVID-19 in the United States now total more than 800, including nearly 200 in New York City alone, according to a database kept by Johns Hopkins.
Between Monday morning and Wednesday morning, the U.S. recorded an additional 200 deaths and nearly 10,000 new cases of the virus throughout the country. There are more than 55,000 confirmed cases of the coronavirus in the U.S., though health experts estimate the number of those infected is actually much higher.
CONTINUING COVERAGE:
- Restrictions and closures extended in Montana due coronavirus
- Yellowstone National Park is closed to all visitors until further notice
- Great Falls Clinic now accepting homemade masks
- "GF Take Down & Take Out" supports Great Falls restaurants
- Update on coronavirus (COVID-19) cases in Cascade County
- Yelllowstone County provides details on several coronavirus cases
- Great Falls restaurants hit by coronavirus restrictions
- Coronavirus: Frequently Asked Questions in Great Falls
- Civic leaders explain "state of emergency" in Great Falls
- Some grocery stores begin offering periodic "seniors only" shopping
- Why COVID-19 is causing more concern than the flu
- Free COVID-19 testing and unemployment benefits for Montanans
