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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 49th Death from COVID-19 17 newly-confirmed cases added HARDIN, MONTANA (December 6, 2020) – Big Horn County today announced the 49th death of a County resident due to complications from the 2019 novel coronavirus (COVID-19). The decedent is a man in his 60’s who was hospitalized prior to his death today, Sunday, December 6, 2020. This is the 1st death recorded in December. The County’s fatality rate is 2.5% (49 deaths out of 1,989 total cases). To his family and friends, the Big Horn County COVID-19 Response Unified Coalition extends our sincere condolences and prayers for comfort at this most difficult time. Big Horn County added 17 new cases of COVID-19 on Sunday, December 6, 2020. Three patients were (without and 14 presented with when tested. Seven likely contracted the virus through community spread and 10 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 1 - 1 Age 10 – 19 1 1 2 Age 20 – 29 3 - 3 Age 30 – 39 2 - 2 Age 40 – 49 3 - 3 Age 50 – 59 3 - 3 Age 60 – 69 1 - 1 Over age 70 1 1 2 Totals 15 2 17 Total confirmed positive cases of COVID-19 in Big Horn County: Age Ranges Female Male Totals Recovered Active Deaths Under age 10 75 79 154 Age 10 – 19 163 159 322 Age 20 – 29 175 144 319 Age 30 – 39 166 156 322 Age 40 – 49 144 107 251 Age 50 – 59 140 103 243 Age 60 – 69 121 97 218 Over age 70 94 66 160 Totals 1,078 911 1,989 1,743 197 49 ---PAGE BREAK--- Page 2 of 2 Recoveries in the County remain at 1,743. 49 persons are deceased. Of the 197 active cases, 177 patients are quarantining and recovering at home. The number of Big Horn County resident patients currently hospitalized in the region is 20. 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 (12/06/2020 to date) 86 1 Total since Pandemic Began 1,989 49 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