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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 County Employees Test Positive for COVID-19 One Detention Officer at County Jail; Three Road/Rural Fire Employees HARDIN, MONTANA (July 23, 2020) – Big Horn County today learned that four County employees tested positive for COVID-19. All four presented with and were found to be in contact with previously-confirmed coronavirus patients. Three work in the Road/Rural Fire Department and one is a Detention Officer in the County Detention Facility (jail). In addition, seven additional County employees are under home quarantine due to contact with those who tested positive. At this time, no inmates in the Big Horn County Detention Facility have tested positive for the coronavirus. “The fact that COVID-19 infected our employees, despite our efforts, highlights the danger of this virus,” said George Real Bird III, Chairman of the Board of County Commissioners. “We will be redoubling our efforts, requiring masks to be worn by our employees when working with each other or County residents. We really hope that with everyone’s cooperation, we can keep our facilities and our County open for business.” The Big Horn County Board of Commissioners urges everyone in the County to stay home whenever possible, to maintain social distance with other people (six or more feet apart), and to wear a mask when social distancing cannot be maintained, for the health and safety of all our community. 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