Hill County reports another death, new COVID-19 cases

While numbers of new COVID-19 cases have declined in the state and in this part of north-central Montana in recent months, the disease has not gone away, with Hill County reporting its 43rd COVID-19-related death and four new cases Monday and the state’s governor catching the disease as new cases creep up in some parts of the state.

Hill County Health Department reported the death and new cases in a release Monday afternoon. Prior to that, Blaine, Chouteau, Hill and Liberty counties had listed no active cases in any of the counties.

Blaine, Chouteau and Liberty counties did not have any new cases listed on the state update this morning.

Gov. Greg Gianforte confirmed in a press release Monday that he was tested Monday after exhibiting mild symptoms Sunday and received a positive result.

His wife, Susan, was awaiting results from her test when the release was issued.

The release said Gianforte is following his doctor’s instructions and public health guidance and is isolating for 10 days. All of the governor’s in-person events have been canceled until further notice, and the governor will continue to conduct his duties and manage the state’s business from his home in Bozeman, the release said.

That is in the hot-spot of the state at this point. Gallatin County reported 62 new cases Monday with 262 active. 

KBZK Television in Bozeman reported Monday that the the Gallatin City-County Board of Health voted 7-2 Monday morning to extend the emergency face covering rule until May 27.

The station reported that Gallatin County Health Officer Matt Kelley recommended extending the mandate due to COVID-19 cases in the county trending upward.

An increase in cases is starting to show in the state, mirroring a trend in the rest of the nation and a large surge in Europe that has led to major restrictions being put back in place on that continent.

In Montana, Yellowstone County had 28 new cases reported Monday with 113 active, Ravalli County had 22 new cases with 56 active, Lewis and Clark County had 17 new cases with 59 active, Missoula had 16 new cases with 90 active, Silver Bow County had 13 new cases with 59 active and Flathead County had 12 cases with 13 active.

In addition to Hill County, 15 other Montana counties also reported new confirmed cases.