Montana COVID-19 cases jump to 45; new patients in Missoula County

The number of positive coronavirus cases across Montana jumped to 45 on Monday evening, up from 34 the prior day.

Two of those new cases were reported Monday in Missoula County, bringing the number of patients there to six. The two latest patients in Missoula include a man and a woman in their 6os.

Gallatin County has reported the greatest number of patients in Montana at 16, followed by Yellowstone County at seven. Flathead County also reported several new cases on Monday, bringing its tally to 4.

On Monday, Sens. Jon Tester and Steve Daines also continued their efforts to bring Montanans home who are stuck abroad.

Tester said he has been in contact with more than 70 Montanans stuck elsewhere over the past week, including those in the Peace Corps, those on travel, and passengers aboard the Grand Princess cruise ship.

“My office continues to be in contact with dozens more Montanans currently traveling abroad to help ensure they're safe,” Tester said. “My heart goes out to the families who are still abroad and I want them to know that my staff and I are in constant communication with the appropriate agencies to make sure travelers have the most up to date information available.”

Daines also has been been in contact with Montanans stuck abroad, including 16 state residents who were stuck on the Norwegian Jewel cruise ship.

Those residents are set to dock in Hawaii and arrangements will be made to bring them home, Daines said.

“I’m so glad to have helped get these Montanans back home safely from around the world during the outbreak. The families and loved ones of these 16 Montanans will be happy to see them back on U.S. soil and on their way home.”