(Updated, 11:55 a.m. MDT, 5-9-2020)
According to the most recent data on Montana's COVID-19 tracking map, there is one new COVID-19 case in Gallatin County.
The new case is reportedly a female, age range 0-9.
The statewide total remains at 458, the same as Friday's report. In Saturday morning's update, state officials said, "Upon further review, a case in Yellowstone County is no longer being considered a positive case and removed from the overall case count."
384 new tests were conducted, bringing the total to 21,329. Four Montanans remain hospitalized with 422 recovered, according to the state. There are currently 20 confirmed acrtive cases statewide.
On Thursday, two new cases were reported in Gallatin County, which now has a total of 149 cases with Saturday's addition.
The two other positive cases reported Thursday are located in West Yellowstone and are in the same family. The cases are believed to be tied to out-of-state travel. There has been limited exposure to others in the community, and the family is cooperating with efforts by Gallatin City-County Health Department staff to limit the spread of the disease.
The Gallatin City-County Health Department is working with the individuals to support and sustain them through their isolation and quarantine.
An individual from out of state has tested positive for COVID-19 in Lake County this week according to a press release from the county.
This person, who has not been in Lake County very long on work-related travel, has had limited interactions in the community. A Lake County public health nurse has interviewed the person and is following up with those who had close contact.
There have been 16 deaths in Montana to date. There have been six deaths in Toole County, two in Cascade County, two in Flathead County, two in Yellowstone County, and one each in Gallatin County, Lincoln County, Madison County, and Missoula County.
The Rebound
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. We're calling it The Rebound: Montana.
In the coming weeks and months, The Rebound: Montana will bring you stories to help navigate these uncertain times — 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.
Highlights of "Re-opening The Big Sky" plan
Governor Steve Bullock announced during a news conference on Wednesday a three-phase plan to "re-open" Montana, as closures and restrictions aimed at slowing the spread of COVID-19 will be gradually rescinded.
Among the highlights of the plan is that many retail businesses can become operational beginning on April 27, and restaurants, bars, casinos, and breweries can become operational beginning on May 4 in accordance with the guidelines listed below. Scroll down for links to the complete plan and key points.
- The "stay at home order" will expire on April 26 for individuals and April 27 for businesses. Retail businesses can become operational on or after April 27 if they can adhere to requirements to limit capacity and maintain strict physical distancing.
- Restaurants, bars, breweries, and distilleries can begin providing some in-establishment services beginning May 4.
- Businesses where groups gather without the ability to social distance including movie theaters, gyms, and other places of assembly remain closed.
- Places of worship can become operational on April 26 in a manner consistent with social distancing between people who are not members of the same household.
- On May 7, all schools will have the option to return to in-classroom teaching delivery at the discretion of local school boards. The Directive does not preclude school boards from declaring local emergencies to continue to receive all appropriate state funding to continue to provide remote learning.
- Montana’s travel quarantine will remain in effect and out of state travelers and residents arriving from another state or country back to Montana for non-work related purposes are required to quarantine for 14 days.
The plan includes several phases and highlights the factors that will determine when it is appropriate to move to the second phase of reopening. That decision will be driven by conditions on the ground and the latest data, according to Bullock.
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The "Re-opening The Big Sky" plan is divided into three phases; here is a summary of some of the key points of the first phase:
PHASE ONE: SPECIFIC TYPES OF EMPLOYERS/ACTIVITIES
- RESTAURANTS / BARS / BREWERIES / DISTILLERIES / CASINOS can become operational on or after May 4, under strict physical distancing and reduced capacity protocols in accordance with State guidelines. All patrons must be out of bars, restaurants, and casinos by 11:30.
- RETAIL BUSINESSES can become operational on or after Monday, April 27, with reduced capacity and where strict physical distancing protocols can be maintained.
- GYMS / POOLS / HOT TUBS remain closed.
- PERSONAL CARE (SALONS, MASSAGE, BODY ART, ETC.) Operations that require close personal contact for an extended period result in exposing staff and customers to greater levels of risk. These situations require additional safety and health precautions. Stylist / artist / service-provider and customer would be a “station” that would be 6 feet away from other “stations”. • Provide for 6 feet of physical distancing between stations, this may require: • A reduction in capacity; • Increasing spacing, removing stations, or marking stations as closed; • Providing for a physical barrier between stations; • A reduction of seating in service and waiting areas; or • Systems that reduce the amount of contact time between customers and staff.
- SENIOR LIVING OR ASSISTED LIVING FACILITIES must continue to prohibit visitors. Those who do interact with residents and patients must ensure strict protocols regarding hygiene and protection are followed. This includes daily screening of staff for symptoms and preventing ill workers from working.
- OUTDOOR RECREATION can become operational if sites adhere to strict physical distancing between groups and exercise frequent sanitation protocols if public facilities are open.
- PLACES OF WORSHIP can become operational on or after Sunday, April 26, with reduced capacity and where strict physical distancing protocols can be maintained between non-household members.
- OTHER PLACES OF ASSEMBLY shall remain closed (e.g., movie and performance theaters, concert halls, bowling alleys, bingo halls, and music halls).
PHASE ONE: INDIVIDUALS
- ALL VULNERABLE INDIVIDUALS should continue to follow the stay home guidance. Members of households with vulnerable residents should be aware that by returning to work or other environments where distancing is not practical, they could carry the virus back home. Precautions should be taken to isolate from vulnerable residents.
- Vulnerable Individuals: people over 65 years of age and/or those with serious underlying health conditions, including high blood pressure, chronic lung disease, diabetes, obesity, asthma, and those whose immune system is compromised such as by chemotherapy for cancer and other conditions requiring such therapy.
- All individuals (non-household), WHEN IN PUBLIC (e.g., parks, outdoor recreation areas, shopping areas), should maximize physical distance from others. • Avoid GATHERING in groups of more than 10 people in circumstances that do not readily allow for appropriate physical distancing.
- MINIMIZE NON-ESSENTIAL TRAVEL and adhere to Montana guidelines regarding quarantine.
PHASE ONE: EMPLOYERS
- Continue to ENCOURAGE TELEWORK whenever possible and feasible with business operations.
- When telework is not feasible it is encouraged to ACCOMMODATE ALTERNATE WORK SCHEDULES such as shift work and staggered scheduling in order to adhere to social distancing guidelines.
- Close COMMON AREAS where personnel are likely to congregate and interact; or enforce strict social distancing protocols.
- MINIMIZE NON-ESSENTIAL BUSINESS TRAVEL.
- SPECIAL ACCOMMODATIONS should be made for members of a VULNERABLE POPULATION or those with vulnerable household members.
The above information is just a brief summary of key points; click the links below for more details.
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