In a press release, the Butte-Silver Bow Health Department announced Wednesday three new confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the county.
The cases are represented by a male in his teens, and two males in their 20s. All are isolated at home.
The new cases bring to a total of 23 cases overall in Butte-Silver Bow, since the county was notified by the state of its first case March 13. The Health Department is now managing 12 active cases.
Though investigations into all three cases continue, all of the new cases have been linked to previously confirmed cases in the county. Therefore, there is not yet community spread of COVID-19 in the county, according to Health Officer Karen Sullivan.
The state map providing COVID-19 information is located at https://montana.maps.arcgis.com/apps/MapSeries/index.html?appid=7c34f3412536439491adcc2103421d4b [montana.maps.arcgis.com]. Butte-Silver Bow figures related to confirmed and active cases do not correspond exactly to the state map. Sullivan said the re-testing of an asymptomatic case may be the cause of the lag.
Sullivan urges all county residents to be tested. Community-wide drive-through testing is occurring today, July 8, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the parking lot at the Butte Plaza Mall. Testing will continue tomorrow, July 9, at the same time and location. The community-wide testing is offered to individuals who are asymptomatic.
Those with symptoms are asked to seek testing at Southwest Montana Community Health Center. Those with severe symptoms are asked to seek emergency medical care immediately.