Montana added 4 cases of COVID-19 to the state's total on Monday, June 1, 2020.
MTN News is counting 518 total cases. The state's confirmed case count is 519, 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.
Gallatin County added 2 new cases, with Big Horn and Yellowstone counties both adding 1 new case.
The state conducted 859 new tests, for a total of 40,657.
There are currently 41 active COVID-19 cases in Montana.
Yellowstone County health officials reported last Tuesdaya woman in her 80s died from complications due to COVID-19.
The woman's death is the third COVID-19 related death in Yellowstone County.
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.
The number of cumulative recoveries increased to 456 over the latest 24-hour reporting period.
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.
