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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 32nd Death from COVID-19 18 newly-confirmed cases of the coronavirus HARDIN, MONTANA (October 13, 2020) – Big Horn County today announced the death of another County resident due to complications from the 2019 novel coronavirus (COVID-19). The decedent is a woman in her 70’s who died on Monday, October 12, 2020. She had been hospitalized prior to her death. With her passing, Big Horn County’s death toll from COVID-19 has reached 32. With heavy hearts, the Big Horn County COVID-19 Response Unified Coalition sends her family, friends, and the entire community of Big Horn County our warmest thoughts and prayers for comfort at this difficult time. Big Horn County added 18 new cases of COVID-19 on Tuesday, October 13, 2020. All of the 18 new patients presented with when tested. Five patients were found through contact tracing of previously-reported patients and 13 likely contracted the virus through community spread, as there are no known contacts with previous cases at this time. The new cases are: Age Ranges Female Male Totals Under age 10 - - - Age 10 – 19 1 1 2 Age 20 – 29 1 3 4 Age 30 – 39 - - - Age 40 – 49 2 2 4 Age 50 – 59 3 - 3 Age 60 – 69 3 - 3 Over age 70 1 1 2 Totals 11 7 18 Total confirmed positive cases of COVID-19 in Big Horn County: Age Ranges Female Male Totals Recovered Active Deaths Under age 10 47 50 97 Age 10 – 19 83 95 178 Age 20 – 29 95 92 187 Age 30 – 39 97 107 204 Age 40 – 49 73 57 130 Age 50 – 59 71 62 133 Age 60 – 69 63 57 120 Over age 70 46 33 79 Totals 575 553 1,128 963 133 32 ---PAGE BREAK--- Page 2 of 2 Recoveries in Big Horn County remain at 963. 32 persons are deceased. Of the 133 active cases, 116 patients are quarantining and recovering at home. The number of Big Horn County resident patients currently hospitalized in the region is 17. Month Number of Cases Number of Deaths April 3 - May 27 - June 44 3 July 249 5 August 357 8 September 294 7 October to date (10/13/2020) 154 9 Total since Pandemic Began 1,128 32 As fall deepens and winter approaches, more activities are moving indoors, making the spread of the coronavirus more likely. 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 outside. 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