GREAT FALLS — Governor Steve Bullock said during a news conference 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.
As of Tuesday (April 7), there have been a total of 319 confirmed cases of COVID-19 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 28 hospitalizations of COVID-19 patients in Montana, and 57 recovered patients. The DPHHS public health lab in Helena has completed 6,985 tests for COVID-19.
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.
Bullock said that he believes these restrictions are making an impact on attempts to "flatten the curve" across Montana, which refers to the peak time when COVID-19 cases spike and potentially overwhelm hospitals.
“We know that staying home will help to flatten the curve. For every person we take out of the chain of transmission of this virus, the more likely our health care facilities can handle the capacity to respond, and the more likely we can beat back this virus sooner rather than later,” Bullock said.
As of Tuesday (April 7), there have been a total of 319 confirmed cases of COVID-19 (coronavirus) in Montana, and six deaths (source/map). There have been three deaths in Toole County (see below), and one each in Lincoln County, Madison County, and Missoula County.
There have now been 28 hospitalizations of COVID-19 patients in Montana, and 57 recovered patients. The DPHHS public health lab in Helena has completed 6,985 tests for COVID-19.
Cases By County:
- Yellowstone County; 47 Total Cases | 7 New Cases
- Flathead County: 31 Total Cases | 5 New Cases
- Gallatin County: 119 Total Cases | 2 New Cases
- Carbon County: 2 Total Cases | 1 New Cases
- Lewis and Clark County: 15 Total Cases | 1 New Cases
- Beaverhead County: 1 Total Cases | 0 New Cases
- Broadwater County: 4 Total Cases | 0 New Cases
- Cascade County: 11 Total Cases | 0 New Cases
- Deer Lodge County: 3 Total Cases | 0 New Cases
- Glacier County: 1 Total Cases | 0 New Cases
- Hill County: 1 Total Cases | 0 New Cases
- Jefferson County: 2 Total Cases | 0 New Cases
- Lake County: 5 Total Cases | 0 New Cases
- Liberty County: 1 Total Cases | 0 New Cases
- Lincoln County: 7 Total Cases | 0 New Cases
- Madison County: 8 Total Cases | 0 New Cases
- Meagher County: 1 Total Cases | 0 New Cases
- Missoula County: 24 Total Cases | 0 New Cases
- Musselshell County: 1 Total Cases | 0 New Cases
- Park County: 6 Total Cases | 0 New Cases
- Ravalli County: 2 Total Cases | 0 New Cases
- Roosevelt County: 1 Total Cases | 0 New Cases
- Silver Bow County: 11 Total Cases | 0 New Cases
- Toole County: 15 Total Cases | 0 New Cases
TOOLE COUNTY: According to the state COVID-19 website, there are now 15 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Toole County. The county had been reporting 16 cases, but now reflects 15. Three of Montana's six COVID-19 deaths have been Toole County residents. Click here for more details about the situation in Toole County. We have a reporter in Shelby today to get more information about the situation and response.
US/WORLD: According to Johns Hopkins University, the worldwide numbers as of Tuesday morning are: 1,365,004 confirmed COVID-19 cases; 76,507 deaths; and 292,467 patients have recovered. The U.S. numbers are: 369,069 confirmed cases; 11,018 deaths; and 20,003 patients have recovered.
CONTINUING COVERAGE:
- Model predicts fewer deaths in MT than original estimate
- Why it's hard to know exactly how many people have recovered
- Toole County: 16 cases of COVID-19, 3 deaths
- 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