According to the Montana Response COVID-19 tracking map, Montana confirms 433 cases of COVID-19 as of Monday morning. No new cases were reported on Monday morning.
On Sunday morning, the total number of cases was 433.
The state reported that 153 new tests were conducted and 19 Montanans remain hospitalized. Officials say 243 people have recovered from Covid-19.
As of Monday morning (April 20), there have been a total of 433 confirmed cases of COVID-19 (coronavirus) in Montana; there have no new cases since Sunday.
There have been eleven deaths to date. There have been five deaths in Toole County, and one each in Lincoln County, Madison County, Missoula County, Flathead County, Cascade County, and Yellowstone County. The official state website has not yet been updated to reflect the 11th death.There have now been 57 hospitalizations to date of COVID-19 patients in Montana; 19 of those are considered "active (current) hospitalizations."There have been a total of 243 recovered patients to date. The number of recoveries by county has not been released at this point.The DPHHS public health lab has completed 11,051 tests for COVID-19, including 153 tests since Sunday's update.
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.
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 said during a news conference on Friday 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.
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."
CBS News - Lockdowns around the world aimed at curbing the spread of the coronavirus pandemic are working, with some of the hardest-hit countries in Europe and Asia cautiously starting to reopen for businesses. New York appears on its way to the same outcome, but the governor warns, "the beast is still alive."
The economic and societal symptoms of the unprecedented shutdowns are heaping pressure on leaders from Michigan to Mumbai to ease the restrictions — including in places that haven't yet begun to "flatten the curve."
COVID-19 has killed almost 41,000 people in the U.S., according to Johns Hopkins University, and some states, especially in the Midwest, continue to see daily increases of 10% or more in confirmed cases.
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