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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 Reports 21 Newly-confirmed Cases of COVID-19 Three additional patients admitted to hospitals; Jail inmates test positive HARDIN, MONTANA (July 31, 2020) – Big Horn County added 21 new cases of COVID-19 on Friday. Of the newly-confirmed cases, 14 patients were tested as a result of contact with previously-confirmed positive patients, and seven likely contracted the virus through community spread, as there are no known contacts with previous cases at this time. Those who were when tested totaled nine and 12 patients presented with The new cases are: Age Ranges Female Male Totals Under age 10 1 2 3 Age 10 – 19 - 1 1 Age 20 – 29 2 - 2 Age 30 – 39 3 4 7 Age 40 – 49 - 2 2 Age 50 – 59 2 1 3 Age 60 – 69 1 2 3 Over age 70 - - - Totals 9 12 21 Total confirmed positive cases of COVID-19 in Big Horn County: Age Ranges Female Male Totals Recovered Active Deaths Under age 10 12 19 31 Age 10 – 19 21 21 42 Age 20 – 29 26 18 44 Age 30 – 39 24 37 61 Age 40 – 49 20 22 42 Age 50 – 59 16 23 39 Age 60 – 69 19 19 38 Over age 70 10 8 18 Totals 148 167 315 110 196 9 Recoveries in Big Horn County remained at 110. Nine persons are deceased. Of the 196 active cases, 187 patients are quarantining and recovering at home, and nine patients are hospitalized, an increase of three today. Month Number of Cases April 3 May 27 June 44 July to date (7/31/2020) 241 ---PAGE BREAK--- Page 2 of 2 Some of the cases recently reported by the County include some inmates in the Big Horn County Detention Facility (jail) who tested positive. sentinel surveillance testing was begun in the detention facility in May, where all inmates were tested. That effort was suspended earlier in July when the State of Montana requested a slowdown in non-close contact testing to allow both in-state and out-of-state laboratories to catch up with testing results. However, a routine testing found a few inmates in the jail and public health, after conferring with the Governor’s Office, decided to test all inmates willing to be tested. The detention facility has been following U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidance for incarcerated individuals, including requiring masks when outside cells, periodic temperature checks, and frequent cleaning and sanitizing of the facility. At this time, no inmates are showing and are being monitored for possible illness. Should an inmate become ill, further medical attention will be provided. Big Horn County wants to remind all residents of the County 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