First COVID-19-related deaths reported in Hill County

Hill County now has reported the first COVID-19-related deaths in the county, along with new cases reported in Hill, Blaine and Chouteau counties.

Hill County Health Department reported two COVID-19 related deaths Thursday afternoon. The deaths were of men in the 50s and 60s, the health department reported.

It reported that another case of COVID-19 had been confirmed, as well.

Rocky Boy Health Center previously reported one new confirmed case and two deaths.

Cases confirmed at the health center also are reported by the local health department, typically in Hill or Chouteau county, depending on where the person with the confirmed case lived.

Hill County Health Department reported that puts the county totals at 42 total cases, three active, 37 recovered and two deaths.

That brings the county below the four-active-case threshold for the requirement by Gov. Steve Bullock’s directive to wear a mask when in public, but the health department release said it and the Hill County health officer encourage the wearing of masks regardless of the number of active cases in the county.

This morning, Blaine County Health Department reported that it was notified of one additional positive COVID-19 lab result. The case was identified through contract tracing.

“All active cases are isolated and contact tracing is complete,” the department said in its release. “Cases and contacts are monitored throughout their isolation and quarantine by public health. That monitoring is ongoing.”

The department reported the total number of cases in Blaine County now is 11, three active and eight recovered.

Chouteau County Health Department reported Thursday afternoon that a new positive COVID-19 case had been confirmed in the county.

“That brings our active cases to six and total cases to nine,” the department’s Facebook post said. “All contacts have been notified and quarantined.

“… Please continue to follow all recommended precautions,” the post added.

The number of active cases puts Chouteau County into the governor’s directive for people to wear masks in public areas in counties with four or more active cases.

Phillips County, which includes the eastern edge of Fort Belknap Indian Reservation, reported this morning that 16 new active cases were confirmed in that county Thursday.

"(Phillips County Health Department) is still undergoing contact tracing and arranging testing for all direct contacts of these positive cases,” the health department said in a Facebook post. “It’s very important at this time for everyone to comply with the mask mandate, and avoid large gatherings at this time so we can slow the spread of COVID-19.

“If you are experiencing any symptoms of COVID-19 such as headache, sore throat, loss of taste or smell, fever, shortness of breath, body aches, congestion/runny nose, or nausea/diarrhea please call your health care provider,” the post added.

Toole County Health Department put out a Facebook post Thursday reporting that people who were at the Shelby car show may have been exposed to the virus that causes COVID-19.

People should watch for symptoms to appear between Aug. 1-15 and contact their health provider if they develop symptoms, the post said.

The Toole County Health Department posted Thursday that it was notified of its 10th active COVID-19 cases. The state tracking map this morning listed 11 active cases, 25 recovered cases and six deaths in the county, for a total of 42 cases there.