Blaine County confirms three new COVID cases, Hill County two more

Blaine County Health Department Thursday confirmed three new cases of COVID-19 in the county, with Hill County Health Department confirming two more, with all of the new cases in both counties identified by contact tracing.

The first case in Blaine County was confirmed Sunday. The new cases bring the total in the county to four, all active cases.

The total in Hill County as of Thursday night was 24 cases, 21 active and three recovered.

Rocky Boy Health Center said Thursday afternoon it has identified a total of 15 cases, which are included in the Hill County total.

Contact tracing is being conducted on all positive cases found.

Chouteau County Health Department confirmed testing a positive case July 10, saying the person was not a county resident and had traveled to the area from out of state.

A post by the department Thursday said, "All close contacts of the three incidents of COVIID-19 in our county have completed their required quarantine (one positive case, two cases outside the county with exposures in the county). There have been no new cases associated with these three episodes."

The state Montana Response: COVID-19 map for Chouteau County did not have any listing.

Health and state officials are urging people to do their part to prevent the spread of the disease, staying home if they don't need to be out, keeping at least six feet away from other people when possible, frequently washing their hands and sanitizing and disinfecting frequently used surfaces.

Gov. Steve Bullock issued a directive Wednesday mandating people wear masks or cloth face coverings when in indoor public places including.

The directive is available online at a link on http://mt.gov or directly at https://dphhs.mt.gov/Portals/85/Documents/NewsLetters/MaskDirective.pdf .