GREAT FALLS — As of Saturday morning (April 18), there have been a total of 426 confirmed cases of COVID-19 (coronavirus) in Montana, an increase of four since Friday.
- There have been ten deaths to date. There have been four deaths in Toole County, and one each in Lincoln County, Madison County, Missoula County, Flathead County, Cascade County, and Yellowstone County.
- There have now been 55 hospitalizations to date of COVID-19 patients in Montana; 17 of those are considered "active (current) hospitalizations."
- There have been a total of 243 recovered patients to date. The number of recoveries by county has not been released at this point.
- The DPHHS public health lab has completed 10,569 tests for COVID-19, including 325 tests since Friday's update.
Counties with new confirmed cases since Sunday:
- Yellowstone County: 70 Total Cases | 3 New Cases
- Missoula County: 35 Total Cases | 1 New Cases
Click here to see the current total of confirmed cases by county.
Governor Steve Bullock said during a news conference on Friday that he’s working on a “phased reopening” of Montana, provided that the state meets key metrics that show the spread of COVID-19 is slowing. Bullock said that he’s planning to release a detailed plan next week. He’s working with his newly-created COVID-19 task force, which consists of business, public health, government leaders, and Major General Matthew Quinn, head of the Montana National Guard. Click here to read more about it.
Protesters are planning to demonstrate against COVID-19 restrictions and closures in Helena on Sunday; click here for details.
On a per-capita basis, Toole County has been harder hit than any other county in Montana by the COVID-19 pandemic. As of Friday, April 17, there have been 29 confirmed cases, and four deaths. Toole County has a population of about 4,900; the town of Shelby, which is the county seat, has about 3,200 people. Click here to read more.
CONTINUING COVERAGE:
- First COVID-19 death in Cascade County reported
- Report: "Interim Analysis of COVID-19 cases in Montana"
- Legislative leaders ask Bullock to reconsider some restrictions
- Determining how many people have recovered
- Great Falls Job Service provides update on unemployment assistance
- OPI recommends closing for remainder of school year
- COVID-19: Q&A with a Great Falls physician
- Officials highlight recoveries of two COVID-19 patients in Montana