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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 37th Death from COVID-19 13 newly-confirmed cases of coronavirus HARDIN, MONTANA (October 28, 2020) – Big Horn County today announced the 37th death of a County resident due to complications from the 2019 novel coronavirus (COVID-19). The decedent is a man in his 50’s who was hospitalized prior to his death. This is the 14th death recorded in October. The County’s fatality rate is 2.7% (37 deaths out of 1,384 total cases). The Big Horn County COVID-19 Response Unified Coalition wishes his family, friends, and the entire community of Big Horn County peace and comfort during this difficult time. Big Horn County added 13 new cases of COVID-19 on Wednesday, October 28, 2020. Four patients were (without when tested and nine presented with Five patients were likely community spread and eight could be traced to previously-known cases of coronavirus. The new cases are: Age Ranges Female Male Totals Under age 10 - - - Age 10 – 19 4 2 6 Age 20 – 29 - 1 1 Age 30 – 39 1 - 1 Age 40 – 49 - 1 1 Age 50 – 59 - - - Age 60 – 69 1 2 3 Over age 70 - 1 1 Totals 6 7 13 Total confirmed positive cases of COVID-19 in Big Horn County: Age Ranges Female Male Totals Recovered Active Deaths Under age 10 56 60 116 Age 10 – 19 108 116 224 Age 20 – 29 116 105 221 Age 30 – 39 126 128 254 Age 40 – 49 89 70 159 Age 50 – 59 88 71 159 Age 60 – 69 77 72 149 Over age 70 61 41 102 Totals 721 663 1,384 1,072 275 37 ---PAGE BREAK--- Page 2 of 2 Over 10% of the County’s population (1,384 out of 13,338) have tested positive for COVID-19. Recoveries in Big Horn County remain at 1,072. 36 persons are deceased. Of the 275 active cases, 258 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 (10/28/2020) 410 14 Total since Pandemic Began 1,384 37 With the rising trend in new COVID-19 cases, it is more important than ever 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. 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