According to the Montana Response COVID-19 tracking map, Montana confirms 439 cases of COVID-19 as of Wednesday morning, adding 2 new reported cases.
On Tuesday, the total number of cases was 437. The death toll in Montana is now at 14 due to Covid-19. 296 people have recovered, according to the state and 13 people remain hospitalized. The state reported 342 new tests were conducted since Tuesday's report, for a total of 11,583.
Missoula and Yellowstone counties both added 1 new case since Tuesday's report.
Local health officials report that a second person has passed away due to COVID-19 in Flathead County and a 6th death in Toole County. The state now reports that 14 people have died due to the disease.
The Flathead City-County Health Department reports the person was over the age of 65 and was a resident of Flathead County.
The Cascade City-County Health Department said on Monday afternoon that a second Cascade County resident has died due to COVID-19. It marked the twelfth death from this disease in Montana.
The person was a man over the age of 65 with underlying health conditions, according to a news release from the CCHD. Due to federal privacy laws and out of respect for the family, no further details will be released, according to the CCHD.
Click here to see the current total of confirmed cases by county.
The official COVID-19 website for Montana is now being updated just once per day, rather than twice. Updates are scheduled to post at about 10 a.m. every day. Another change is that the website now includes the number of recovered COVID-19 patients in Montana.
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< /span> 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.
IRS tells government beneficiaries who have dependents to 'act now' to receive full stimulus check
The IRS on Monday alerted those with dependents who receive government benefits to “act now” in order to receive an additional $500 per dependent as part of the government’s stimulus checks that most Americans are receiving.
The IRS said that those who do not file their dependents’ information by noon ET Wednesday will have to wait and would be paid in association with a tax return filing for tax year 2020.Beneficiaries will still receive a $1,200 check automatically in the same manner they receive their benefits.
In order to receive the added $500 per dependent, beneficiaries will need to use a special IRS tool (click here) for non-tax filers.
- Does your health insurance cover you for Covid-19? Learn more here.
CORONAVIRUS INFORMATION AND RESOURCES FOR SW MONTANA
The official COVID-19 website for Montana will be updated just once per day, rather than twice. Updates will be posted at about 10 a.m. every day. Another change is that the website now includes the number of recovered COVID-19 patients in Montana.
Bullock working on plan for 'phased reopening' of MT during COVID-19
Governor Steve Bullock will conduct a news conference on Wednesday to provide details on Montana’s plan for a phased and gradual reopening. The news conference is scheduled to begin at noon.
After almost four weeks of directives closing all public schools and many businesses and severely restricting others, it's expected that Bullock will start easing some of those restrictions.
Governor Steve Bullock said that he’s working on a “phased reopening” of Montana, provided that the state meets key metrics that show the spread of COVID-19 is slowing. Bullock said that he’s planning to release a detailed plan next week. He’s working with his newly-created COVID-19 task force, which consists of business, public health, government leaders, and Major General Matthew Quinn, head of the Montana National Guard. Click here to read more about it.
Last week, Gov. Bullock appointed a 26-member task force, charged with offering guidance and advice on where those federal dollars can best be deployed.
The $1.25 billion is the amount of cash now available to Montana through the federal CARES Act, to assist workers and businesses impacted by the COVID-19 outbreak.
Stimulus payments: what you should know
The Economic Impact Payments (often referred to as "stimulus checks") are starting to show up in bank accounts for many people, and there are several questions and concerns that some people have.
Several weeks ago, Congress passed the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, which included individual stimulus checks for more than 100 million Americans. Now, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has announced 50 to 70 million people should expect their money this week.
Two of the most common questions we have received: will my stimulus money be taxed, and will the amount be taken out of my tax refund next year? The answer to those concerns are not easily found (if they are even available yet in plain-language) on the IRS website, so we checked with other sources to find out.
According to Money.com: , the stimulus payments are not considered taxable income, and are not "advances" on next year's tax refunds:
- Will this eat into my tax refund for 2020? No. The ‘advance’ you’ve been hearing about is in reference to a special tax credit that’ll appear on the tax return you file in 2021 for the 2020 tax year — a tax credit that wouldn’t have been there if it wasn’t for these stimulus checks. So the Internal Revenue Service isn’t giving you some of your 2020 tax refund upfront. The stimulus check will be in addition to what you would’ve otherwise expected.
- Will it count towards my taxable income for 2020? No. This money is not considered income. It won’t be taxable and it won’t affect your income tax bracket for 2020.
CNBC.com offers the same information:
- Myth 1: "The stimulus checks are taxed." The stimulus checks are not taxable income. The checks — which are worth $1,200 for individuals earning up to $75,000 and $2,400 for couples earning up to $150,000, plus $500 for dependents under 17 — are structured as refundable tax credits. That is why even people who do not typically file tax returns qualify for these payments, according to the Tax Foundation, an independent think tank.
- Myth 2: "I will have to pay back the stimulus check next tax season." Assuming all of the information on your tax returns is correct, you will not repay the check next spring.
And from Forbes.com: "The good news about your stimulus check is that’s tax-free. You will not owe income taxes on your stimulus check."
HELPFUL RESOURCES
- What are ESSENTIAL BUSINESSES?
- Bullock designates childcare centers essential businesses
- Bullock announces food security measures for Montana families
- Travelers arriving in Montana from out of state must SELF-QUARANTINE for 14 days
- Landlords cannot evict for non-payment of rent during stay-at-home order
- Bullock: Stay-at-home order, school closures likely to continue past April 10
CONTINUING COVERAGE:
Report: "Interim Analysis of COVID-19 cases in Montana"
Legislative leaders ask Bullock to reconsider some restrictions
Determining how many people have recovered
IRS deposits first wave of stimulus checks into bank accounts
COVID-19 update for Cascade County (Saturday, April 11)
Great Falls Job Service provides update on unemployment assistance
OPI recommends closing for remainder of school year
COVID-19: Q&A with a Great Falls physician
Toole County provides update on COVID-19 (Thursday, April 9)
Officials highlight recoveries of two COVID-19 patients in Montana