GREAT FALLS — As of Wednesday at 10 a.m. (April 8), there have been a total of 332 confirmed cases of COVID-19 (coronavirus) in Montana, and six deaths (source/map). There have been three deaths in Toole County, and one each in Lincoln County, Madison County, and Missoula County.
There have now been 31 hospitalizations of COVID-19 patients in Montana, and 135 recovered patients. The DPHHS public health lab in Helena has completed 7,398 tests for COVID-19.
There were two new cases of COVID-19 reported in Toole County on Tuesday, bringing the confirmed number to date in the county to 17. In addition, the Richland County Health Department in Sidney said on Tuesday that it has confirmed its first case of COVID-19, and on Wednesday morning, they announced a second case. Neither patient required hospitalization. As is being done in other counties, public health officials are contacting the close contacts of the patients with information about how to proceed.
The official COVID-19 website for Montana is now being updated just once per day, rather than twice. Updates are scheduled to post at about 10 a.m. every day. Another change is that the website now includes the number of recovered COVID-19 patients in Montana.
Governor Steve Bullock said on Tuesday that he is ordering the extension of the "stay at home" order designed to curb the spread of COVID-19 (coronavirus) in Montana. The original order was issued on March 26 and runs through Friday, April 10. The extension will now last through Friday, April 24.
Bullock also said on Tuesday that public K-12 schools across the state will remain closed through April 24. Other directives previously issued by the governor have also been extended through April 24, including the closure of bars, casinos, and other non-essential businesses; the closure of dine-in service for restaurants; the temporary suspension of evictions and foreclosures; and prohibiting for now shutting off of utilities for nonpayment. RELATED: What businesses are considered "essential?
Bullock also recommended that Montanans wear cloth face masks when they're out in public, such as in grocery stores and pharmacies. He also extended the order requiring incoming travelers to Montana to enter into a 14-day self-quarantine.
CASES BY COUNTY (total / new since last update)
- Richland County: 2 Total Cases | 2 New
- Toole County: 17 Total Cases | 2 New
- Carbon County: 3 Total Cases | 1 New
- Gallatin County: 120 Total Cases | 1 New
- Glacier County: 2 Total Cases | 1 New
- Lewis & Clark County: 16 Total Cases | 1 New
- Missoula County: 25 Total Cases | 1 New
- Park County: 7 Total Cases | 1 New
- Ravalli County: 3 Total Cases | 1 New
- Roosevelt County: 2 Total Cases | 1 New
- Yellowstone County: 48 Total Cases | 1 New
- Beaverhead County: 1 Total Cases
- Broadwater County: 4 Total Cases
- Cascade County: 11 Total Cases
- Deer Lodge County: 3 Total Cases
- Flathead County: 31 Total Cases
- Hill County: 1 Total Cases
- Jefferson County: 2 Total Cases
- Lake County: 5 Total Cases
- Liberty County: 1 Total Cases
- Lincoln County: 7 Total Cases
- Madison County: 8 Total Cases
- Meagher County: 1 Total Cases| 0 New Cases
- Musselshell County: 1 Total Cases
- Silver Bow County: 11 Total Cases
US/WORLD: According to Johns Hopkins University, the worldwide numbers as of Wednesday morning are: 1,450,343 confirmed COVID-19 cases; 83,568 deaths; and 308,617 patients have recovered. The U.S. numbers are: 399,979 confirmed cases; 12,912 deaths; and 22,539 patients have recovered.
CONTINUING COVERAGE:
- COVID-19 restrictions extended through April 24
- Model predicts fewer deaths in MT than original estimate
- Why it's hard to know exactly how many people have recovered
- National Guard troops activated for COVID-19 response in Montana
- Unemployment claims skyrocket in Montana due to COVID-19
- Joint Information Center ready to answer COVID-19 questions
- "Stay at home" order aimed at slowing the spread of COVID-19
- What businesses are considered "essential" in Montana?
- Lincoln County man identified as first COVID-19 death in Montana
- Why COVID-19 is causing more concern than the flu