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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Rhonda Johnson, Public Information Officer, Big Horn County (406) 679-0572 Big Horn County Announces Six Newly-confirmed Cases of COVID-19 Over 600 total cases of COVID-19 in County since start of pandemic Please take precautions to continue to flatten the curve HARDIN, MONTANA (August 23, 2020) – Big Horn County added six new cases of COVID-19 on Saturday, August 22, 2020. Five of the newly-confirmed cases presented with and likely contracted the virus through community spread, as there are no known contacts with previous cases at this time. One patient was tested as a result of contact with previously-confirmed positive patient(s) and was (showing no when tested. The new cases are: Age Ranges Female Male Totals Under age 10 - - - Age 10 – 19 - 2 2 Age 20 – 29 - 1 1 Age 30 – 39 - 1 1 Age 40 – 49 - - - Age 50 – 59 - - - Age 60 – 69 2 - 2 Over age 70 - - - Totals 2 4 6 Total confirmed positive cases of COVID-19 in Big Horn County: Age Ranges Female Male Totals Recovered Active Deaths Under age 10 24 29 53 Age 10 – 19 44 51 95 Age 20 – 29 49 47 96 Age 30 – 39 51 63 114 Age 40 – 49 38 31 69 Age 50 – 59 34 41 75 Age 60 – 69 35 35 70 Over age 70 19 14 33 Totals 294 311 605 428 162 15 Recoveries in Big Horn County remains at 428. 15 persons are deceased. Of the 162 active cases, 147 patients are quarantining and recovering at home. The number of Big Horn County resident patients currently hospitalized declined to 15. Month Number of Cases April 3 May 27 June 44 July 249 August to date (8/22/2020) 282 ---PAGE BREAK--- Page 2 of 2 Big Horn County has tracked the number of positive cases of COVID-19 as well as the trend in cases using a seven-day average since the start of the pandemic. With the lower numbers of new cases over the last couple of weeks, the County has seen the curve flatten and trend downward, albeit at levels still above an average of 10 new cases per day. Big Horn County wants to see this trend in new cases continue to move downward as precautions recommended by our public health officials and taken seriously by our citizens are working to slow the spread of the virus. If we continue to take the precautions outlined below and slow the spread of COVID-19, our schools will be more likely to be able to open on time and operate safely, improving the opportunity for education of our children, and preventing the spread to our elders and those more vulnerable to this virus. The County asks all residents to please continue stay home more often and to avoid events or gatherings. Also, the Board of County Commissioners and Board of Public Health ask everyone to wear a mask and social distance when outside of their homes and in public. Masks are required when engaged in indoor activities, such as shopping. Masks are not necessary in the event that residents are outdoors and unlikely to come within six feet of other people, such as while taking advantage of our beautiful county, to work, recreate, or exercise. Tracking down contacts to a positive case (contact tracing) is one of the best tools public health can use to slow the spread of the virus. If you believe you were in the presence of a recently confirmed COVID- 19 case for more than five minutes, please call public health so that a nurse may interview you and determine what level of exposure you have: • IHS Public Health Nursing: (406) 638-3478 • Big Horn County Public Health: (406) 665-8720 Big Horn County is the sixth largest county in Montana, at approximately 5,023 square miles, and with a population exceeding 13,000. The local government was established January 13, 1913. Hardin is the County Seat. For more information about the County’s COVID-19 response, please visit our Facebook page at - 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 3/17/2020 4/17/2020 5/17/2020 6/17/2020 7/17/2020 8/17/2020 Big Horn County COVID-19 Cases Per Day 7-day Avg