GREAT FALLS — Governor Steve Bullock on Thursday evening announced the first death in Montana of a COVID-19 patient.
Public health officials are in the process of contacting family members, according to a news release from Bullock. The location of the death has not yet been released, and no additional information have been disclosed at this point.
Bullock said, "I’m heartbroken to learn of Montana’s first death due to COVID-19. Especially during these times, Montana truly is one big small town – this news hits us hard, but we’re in this together. My family and I send our love and support to the family, friends, and community of our fellow Montanan.”
We will update you as we get more information.
Bullock on Thursday afternoon issued a directive requiring Montanans to stay home and temporarily closes all nonessential businesses and operations as efforts to curtail the spread of COVID-19 (coronavirus) continue. The order goes into effect at 12:01 a.m. on Saturday, March 28. Click here for complete details.
As of Thursday afternoon (March 26), there are 90 cases of COVID-19 (coronavirus) in Montana.
Here is the current total by county: Gallatin 38; Yellowstone 14; Missoula 7; Flathead 5; Cascade 5; Butte-Silver Bow 5; Lewis & Clark 5; Madison 2; Broadwater 2; Ravalli 1; Roosevelt 1; Jefferson 1; Hill 1; Toole 1; Lincoln 1; Meagher 1.
There have now been seven hospitalizations of COVID-19 patients in Montana, according to the state Coronavirus Task Force.
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.
As of Thursday afternoon, the DPHHS public health lab in Helena has completed 2,680 tests for COVID-19; that includes 476 tests conducted since Wednesday.
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