Three more dead in Missoula County; 909 new COVID cases reported statewide

The 909 new cases of COVID-19 reported across Montana on Tuesday by state health officials is the third highest daily count since the pandemic began back in March.

The Missoula City-County Health Department also reported three more deaths on Tuesday, bringing the toll to 24. Five people have died in the county in as many days due to complications from the virus.

The health department has not detailed where the rising death count is stemming from. Two weeks ago, the health officer added tougher restrictions on area senior and assisted living facilities after both residents and staff tested positive in at least eight local facilities.

“We cannot release details about the individuals other than one was a male, aged 70 years or older, and one was a female, aged 70 years or older,” the health department said in a statement. “We wish to respect the privacy of the families and cannot tell them enough how incredibly sorry we are for their losses.”

The county reported 68 new cases of the virus on Tuesday, bringing the number of active cases to 755 with more than 1,280 close contacts. The University of Montana accounts for 56 of those active cases.

Thirty-seven people are currently being hospitalized in Missoula County while 389 are hospitalized across the state.

The 909 new cases reported on Tuesday brings to nearly 12,800 the number of active cases across the state. Yellowstone, Cascade, Gallatin and Missoula counties each have more than 1,000 active cases while Flathead and Lewis and Clark counties each have more than 895.