There were 320 newly confirmed COVID-19 cases reported in Montana on Wednesday and the statewide death toll stands at 1,202, according to data compiled by MTN News.
Following a review of records, an additional six COVID-19 related deaths have been confirmed in Lake County.
The number of active cases in the state is currently 4,162, according to MTN News, and there has been a cumulative total of 92,962 cases of the virus in Montana. Of the total cases, 85,598 have recovered.
There are currently 118 people hospitalized for treatment of the virus, and the cumulative number of hospitalizations is 4,177.
The number of tests performed in the state has reached 927,981 an increase of 5,025 during the previous 24-hour reporting period.
The numbers reported by MTN reflect the latest data from the Montana COVID website, along with supplemental data received from county health departments.
The Montana Department of Public Health & Human Services launched a new feature on Jan. 25 on the state COVID website to report the number of vaccinations administered.
Gov. Greg Gianforte announced on Jan. 19 that Montana had entered into Phase 1B of the state's COVID-19 vaccination plan.
SOURCES: The numbers reported above reflect the latest data from the official Montana COVID website as well as supplemental data from county health departments. The disparity between numbers provided by DPHHS and numbers from county health departments continues to grow as COVID cases escalate in Montana. MTN News uses both state data and county data to provide more accurate and timely information. As a result, numbers reported by MTN do not align with the DPHHS figures.
CONTEXT: Not every person who tests positive actually becomes ill or exhibits symptoms. Many do not; of those who do become sick, some experience mild symptoms and do not require hospitalization. Others experience more severe symptoms, and some do require hospitalization. Every person who tests positive for COVID, however, has the potential to spread the virus to other people, including family members and friends, which is why public health officials continue to encourage everyone to wear a mask and maintain at least the recommended six feet of "social distance" when in public. The CDC released data in late August which emphasizes that people with contributing or chronic medical conditions are at much greater risk of dying from COVID-19.