COVID continues to set new Montana records; 46 now dead, 62 hospitalized

State health officials reported more than 350 new cases of COVID-19 over the weekend, including four more deaths due to the virus.

Friday marked another record with 217 confirmed cases, pushing Yellowstone County toward 900 cases and Gallatin County toward 800. Missoula passed the 200 mark with more than 25 new cases reported Saturday by state health officials.

The four fatalities included one each in Lake and Glacier counties and two more in Yellowstone County, bringing to 46 the number of people who have died due to the virus.

“The increasing number of deaths over the past few weeks weighs heavily on everyone in our state, including myself and my family. This is a difficult reminder of the fact that COVID-19 is still with us, and will be for some time. For the sake of our neighbors, we must remain committed to social distancing, masking up, and other public health measures to protect our communities.”

Billings has more than 460 active cases while Missoula has 60. Statewide, more than 1,217 cases are considered active and 62 people are currently being hospitalized. Since March, the state has confirmed 3,342 cases.