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Yellowstone County marks 175th COVID-19 death

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Posted at 1:45 PM, Jan 18, 2021
and last updated 2021-01-18 15:45:25-05

BILLINGS – Yellowstone County health officials said Monday COVID-19 related illness has caused the death of another county resident.

According to RiverStone Health, on Friday, Jan. 15 a man in his 80s died at a Billings hospital.

“I hope that the deceased’s loved ones find comfort in memories of happier days,” said John Felton, RiverStone Health CEO and Yellowstone County health officer. “As the United States death toll from the pandemic approaches 400,000 Americans, I urge everyone to be vaccinated as vaccine becomes available to spare more families the grief that so many have already experienced.”

Yellowstone County has lost 175 residents to the pandemic, ten of whom died in the first 15 days of the month, the agency said in a press release.

At least 14,807 Yellowstone County residents have tested positive for the virus that causes COVID-19, according to RiverStone Health. Among those infected, 964 Yellowstone County residents have been hospitalized.

For the week of Jan. 18, Yellowstone County received nearly 2,100 COVID-19 vaccines. RiverStone Health, Billings Clinic and St. Vincent Healthcare are scheduling vaccination clinics for people in the 1B priority group, which includes people over age 70, people 16-69 with health conditions that put them at high risk for serious illness, and Native Americans and other people of color who are at high risk from COVID-19.

RELATED:COVID-19 Vaccine Information

To schedule a first come, first served vaccination appointment, call:

· Public Health at RiverStone Health: 406.651.6596. RiverStone Health is only able to schedule vaccinations for people 18 and older because it received the Moderna vaccine. Public Health is not charging an administration fee.

· St. Vincent Healthcare at: 406.237.7050

· Billings Clinic at: 406.435.5744

While awaiting vaccination, it is important that all Yellowstone County residents continue taking precautions against spreading the virus: keep your distance, wear masks when around people who don’t live with you, wash your hands thoroughly, and stay home if you are sick.

COVID-19 information is updated regularly online at covid.riverstonehealth.org.