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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 62nd and 63rd Deaths from COVID-19 Seven newly-confirmed cases added HARDIN, MONTANA (December 30, 2020) – Big Horn County today announced the 62nd and 63rd deaths of County residents due to complications from the 2019 novel coronavirus (COVID-19). One of the deceased is a man in his 60’s who was hospitalized prior to his death yesterday, Tuesday, December 29, 2020. The second decedent is a woman in her 40’s who was hospitalized prior to her death today, Wednesday, December 30, 2020. It is particularly heartbreaking to lose a loved one at the holidays and the Big Horn County COVID-19 Response Unified Coalition send our thoughts and prayers to their family and friends on their deaths. This is the 14th and 15th deaths of County residents recorded in December. The County’s fatality rate is 2.9% (63 deaths out of 2,153 total cases). Big Horn County added seven newly-confirmed cases of COVID-19 on Tuesday, December 29, 2020. One of the new patients was (without and six presented with when tested. Two patients likely contracted the virus through community spread and five cases could be traced by public health to previously-known cases of coronavirus. The new cases are: Age Ranges Female Male Totals Under age 10 - - - Age 10 – 19 - 3 3 Age 20 – 29 - 1 1 Age 30 – 39 - - - Age 40 – 49 - - - Age 50 – 59 1 - 1 Age 60 – 69 1 - 1 Over age 70 1 - 1 Totals 3 4 7 Total confirmed positive cases of COVID-19 in Big Horn County: Age Ranges Female Male Totals Recovered Active Deaths Under age 10 85 86 171 Age 10 – 19 177 174 351 Age 20 – 29 181 154 335 Age 30 – 39 185 168 353 Age 40 – 49 150 115 265 Age 50 – 59 152 109 261 Age 60 – 69 134 105 239 Over age 70 107 71 178 Totals 1,171 982 2,153 2,050 40 63 ---PAGE BREAK--- Page 2 of 2 Recoveries in the County remain at 2,050. 63 persons are deceased. Of the 40 active cases, 22 patients are quarantining and recovering at home. The number of Big Horn County resident patients currently hospitalized in the region is 18. Month Number of Cases Number of Deaths April 3 - May 27 - June 44 3 July 249 5 August 357 8 September 294 7 October 456 17 November 473 8 December (12/29/2020 to date) 250 15 Total since Pandemic Began 2,153 63 As the new year approaches – and even if you have recently received the first dose of a vaccine against COVID-19 – it is important to follow the three W’s: Wash your hands; Watch your distance from other people; Wear a mask. 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. 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