Montana COVID-19 case numbers update - June 24

HELENA — The Montana Response COVID-19 tracking map shows the number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the Treasure State is now at 766.

Wednesday's data shows the total number of cases in the state now stands at 768.

The state tracking map is reporting 766 cases because of a case is attributed to Jefferson County. Local health officials have said that the case was not acquired in Montana and the man has not been in contact with anyone in the state. Additionally, two cases from Gallatin County were not included in the Wednesday morning update.

Several continues are reporting additional cases as of Wednesday morning including Flathead and Missoula. A Missoula Fire Department firefighter has tested positive for COVID-19 the city announced on June 23. There are currently 15 active COVID-19 cases in Missoula County and eight active cases in Flathead County.

To date, 571 Montana residents have recovered from COVID-19. There are currently 17 people hospitalized and a total of 75,066 tests have been completed, according to the state tracking map.

There are currently 171 active COVID-19 cases. There have been 21 COVID-19 related deaths to date in the Treasure State.

* It should be noted that local health departments often learn about results from private labs and updates their numbers before the state of Montana does, Additionally, there may also be differences in reporting criteria, so the local numbers may differ from those that appear on the Montana COVID-19 tracking map.

Total Confirmed Cases and New Daily Cases by County

• Missoula County: 54 Total Cases | 5 New Cases
• Yellowstone County: 129 Total Cases | 4 New Cases
• Gallatin County: 216 Total Cases | 3 New Cases
• Big Horn County: 68 Total Cases | 2 New Cases
• Rosebud County: 10 Total Cases | 2 New Cases
• Treasure County: 2 Total Cases | 2 New Cases
• Cascade County: 26 Total Cases | 1 New Cases
• Custer County: 23 Total Cases | 1 New Cases
• Dawson County: 3 Total Cases | 1 New Cases
• Flathead County: 49 Total Cases | 1 New Cases
• Richland County: 9 Total Cases | 1 New Cases

• Beaverhead County: 1 Total Cases | 0 New Cases
• Broadwater County: 5 Total Cases | 0 New Cases
• Carbon County: 15 Total Cases | 0 New Cases
• Deer Lodge County: 3 Total Cases | 0 New Cases
• Fergus County: 2 Total Cases | 0 New Cases
• Glacier County: 7 Total Cases | 0 New Cases
• Golden Valley County: 3 Total Cases | 0 New Cases
• Hill County: 1 Total Cases | 0 New Cases
• Jefferson County: 3 Total Cases | 0 New Cases
• Lake County: 12 Total Cases | 0 New Cases
• Lewis and Clark County: 24 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
• Musselshell County: 1 Total Cases | 0 New Cases
• Park County: 9 Total Cases | 0 New Cases
• Pondera County: 2 Total Cases | 0 New Cases
• Ravalli County: 17 Total Cases | 0 New Cases
• Roosevelt County: 7 Total Cases | 0 New Cases
• Silver Bow County: 11 Total Cases | 0 New Cases
• Stillwater County: 4 Total Cases | 0 New Cases
• Toole County: 31 Total Cases | 0 New Cases
• Valley County: 1 Total Cases | 0 New Cases
• Wheatland County: 1 Total Cases | 0 New Cases

Montana has been seeing a statewide spike in the number of COVID-19 cases recently, prompting Gov. Steve Bullock to say on June 17 that people still need to be taking steps to limit the spread of the disease.

Gov. Bullock said part of the increase in cases may have come from a change in how they respond to reported cases. Health leaders are now testing all close contacts of anyone who tests positive, rather than only those who show symptoms.

Montana has begun statewide testing of individuals who are asymptomatic for COIVD-19. The testing -- through an initiative by Gov. Steve Bullock -- is completely free to the individual and paid for by the State of Montana.

Gov. Bullock also announced on June 4 that Montana will be expanding COVID-19 relief grant opportunities to help small businesses, local governments and help get more Montana meat to people’s tables.

Montana moved to "phase two" of Gov. Bullock's "Reopening The Big Sky" plan on Monday, June 1. Bullock noted that Montana continues to have the lowest number of positive COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations per capita in the nation.

Bullock outlined the following indicators which prompted him - in consultation with public health officials and disaster response personnel - to move into Phase Two beginning on June 1:

• A downward trajectory of positive tests as a percent of total tests within a 14-day period.
• The current ability to contact and trace, along with plans to add additional contact tracers to the existing workforce.
• Ensuring that health care workers have the supplies they need to treat COVID-19 and non-COVID-19 patients.
• Ramping up testing capacity to eventually meet a target of 60,000 tests a month and prioritizing testing for vulnerable Montanans and tribal communities. A total of 5,600 tests were conducted last week. Increased testing continues with sentinel testing efforts in nursing homes and assisting living facilities, testing events in tribal areas, and drive through testing being conducted at a few sites.

Here are some of the highlights of phase two:

• Avoid gatherings in groups of more than 50 people in circumstances that do not readily allow for appropriate physical distancing. Groups larger than 50 people should be canceled unless physical distancing can be maintained. It is recommended to continue to social distance in gatherings of any size.
• Restaurants, bars, breweries, distilleries, and casinos remains in the same operations status as Phase One, but with an increase to 75% capacity.
• Gyms, indoor group fitness classes, pool, and hot tubs can operate at 75% capacity and only if they can adhere to strict physical distancing and they exercise frequent sanitation protocols.
• Concert halls, bowling alleys, and other places of assembly may operate with reduced capacity and if they adhere to strict physical distancing guidelines.
• All businesses are required to follow the social distancing and sanitation guidelines established in Phase One, and Montanans are strongly encouraged to continue sanitation practices, including hand washing and wearing masks in public places like grocery stores.

We know the COVID-19 pandemic is changing our community. To keep you and your family informed as we move forward, we're beginning a new series of reports. They are stories that will help all of us navigate through these uncertain times. In the coming weeks and months, we'll be focusing on “The Rebound: Montana.”

It is a series of reports, videos, and information that show our commitment to stories that will help you as our communities begin to rebound - from what you'll need to know when it's time to go back to work, to how those in the community continue to step up and help others.