14 new COVID-19 cases reported (Thursday, June 4)

Montana added 14 new cases of COVID-19 to the state's total on Thursday, June 4, 2020.

Gallatin County added 8 new cases. Big Horn County added 5 and Yellowstone reported 1 new case of Covid-19.

MTN News is counting 538 total cases. The state's confirmed case count is 539, which includes a Jefferson County resident who reportedly has not been in Montana for several weeks, did not acquire COVID-19 in Montana, and has not been in contact with anyone in the state after testing positive.

The state conducted 1,194 new tests, for a total of 44,642.

There are currently 55 active COVID-19 cases in Montana.

From May 25 to June 1, 40 new cases of COVID-19 were identified in Montana.

Of those cases, 22 were in Big Horn County and 12 were in Yellowstone County.

Governor Steve Bullock addressed members of the media Monday on two separate clusters of cases of COVID-19 that were recently found in Big Horn and Yellowstone Counties.

The Yellowstone County cluster has been linked to the Yellowstone County Jail.

“I want to underscore that for every positive case we have right now in Montana, there’s not one case in Montana where we haven’t been able to identify where exactly that positive transmission came from,” added Bullock.

Bullock said, at this time, he is not considering going back to phase one for the state, but noted local county officials can increase restrictions if they feel it is necessary.

The state is actively looking at ways to limit any spread from tourists, but say fortunately most tourists come to Montana to spend their time outdoors.

“We know this virus is still here,” said Bullock. “I think the Big Horn County and Yellowstone County--and even the cases we’ve had in Gallatin underscore the importance of really getting on top of cases early and doing the community tracing efforts to ensure that what could be a small handful of cases doesn’t get out of hand.”

There have been 17 deaths in Montana to date. There have been six deaths in Toole County, two in Cascade County, two in Flathead County, three in Yellowstone County, and one each in Gallatin County, Lincoln County, Madison County, and Missoula County.
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More than half of Americans think day-to-day life in the nation will be permanently changed as a result of the coronavirus. And even more so than last month, many are bracing for a long period before social activities can resume.

Fifty-four percent of Americans think daily life — the way people interact with each other and the way they work — will be permanently changed, while 46% think things will eventually return to normal.

People living in communities that have been significantly impacted by the coronavirus are particularly likely to foresee a country forever changed: 62% of those who say their community has many cases of the coronavirus think life will be permanently changed after the virus is contained.

REOPENING THE BIG SKY, PHASE TWO

Montana moves 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.

• Bullock outlines increased testing, tracing for MT gateway communities
• Butte KOA looking forward to bounce back summer season
• Gallatin City-County Health Board moves to reopen Gallatin Co. to phase II
• Annual Drummond rodeo canceled due to COVID-19 concerns
• Little Shell Tribe will conduct a drive-through COVID-19 testing clinic

The Rebound

The Rebound: Montana brings you stories to help navigate these uncertain times caused by the coronavirus pandemic — from getting back to work to making ends meet — along with tips on how to manage the pressure and a look at how those in the community continue to step up.

• MTN announces "The Rebound: Montana" Relief Fund
• Do you qualify for emergency housing in Montana?