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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 Confirms Four Additional Cases of COVID-19 Additional positive test results anticipated HARDIN, MONTANA (May 29, 2020) – Big Horn County added four confirmed positive cases of COVID-19 Thursday evening. These cases were not found as part of recent sentinel surveillance testing events. The four newly-confirmed cases are: • Female in her teens • Female in her 60’s • Male in his teens • Male in his 60’s The 12 previous cases were: Age Ranges Female Male Totals Under age 10 - 1 1 Age 10 – 19 2 2 4 Age 20 – 29 3 1 4 Age 30 – 39 - 1 1 Age 40 – 49 - 1 1 Age 50 – 59 1 - 1 Age 60 – 69 - - - Over age 70 - - - Totals 5 7 12 Eight of the earlier confirmed-positive patients have recovered. Of the remaining eight patients, seven including three of the newly-confirmed patients, are quarantining and recovering at home. One of the newly-confirmed patients is hospitalized. The Big Horn County Public Health Department and Indian Health Service (IHS) Public Health Nursing are tracing the contacts of these new cases. All close contacts will be notified, interviewed, and given instructions for further action if required. “With the success of our recent sentinel surveillance testing events, during which over 1,600 residents were tested, as test results are confirmed at the labs, we anticipate additional confirmed positives in Big Horn County,” said George Real Bird III, Chairman of Big Horn County Board of Commissioners and the Big Horn County Public Health Board. “The 16 cases in this press release represent people who live, work, and shop in every area of our County, including our major towns. COVID-19 is a County-wide issue and the precautions prescribed by our healthcare professional remain critical to containing the spread of this deadly virus.” ---PAGE BREAK--- Page 2 of 2 Sentinel surveillance testing is random testing of members of a community to determine spread of a particular disease and is particularly useful in finding cases of COVID-19. A patient is when they show no outward signs of the disease. IHS Public Health Nursing and Big Horn County Public Health wish to remind all residents of Big Horn County of the best ways to prevent the transmission of this illness: stay home; wash your hands thoroughly and often; clean and sanitize frequently touched surfaces and items; wear a mask when in public; stay at least six feet away from other people; and avoid travel out of the County if at all possible. And if you are feeling sick, do not go to work or leave your home; rather, contact your healthcare provider for guidance. Tracking down contacts to a positive case 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: (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