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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 Three Recent Deaths from COVID-19 Increasing death toll in County to 27 HARDIN, MONTANA (October 7, 2020) – Big Horn County today announced the 25th, 26th, and 27th deaths of County residents due to complications from the 2019 novel coronavirus (COVID-19). One decedent is a woman in her 80’s who was not hospitalized prior to her death on Saturday, October 3, 2020. The second decedent is a man in his 60’s who had been hospitalized prior to his death on Tuesday, October 6, 2020. And one decedent is a woman in her 70’s who was hospitalized prior to her death on Wednesday, October 7, 2020. The Big Horn County COVID-19 Response Unified Coalition offers our deepest condolences and warmest sympathies to their families, friends, and the entire community of Big Horn County for their tragic losses. 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