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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 Two Deaths from COVID-19 21 newly-confirmed cases of the coronavirus HARDIN, MONTANA (October 13, 2020) – Big Horn County today announced the deaths of two County residents due to complications from the 2019 novel coronavirus (COVID-19). One decedent is a man in his 60’s who died on Sunday, October 11, 2020 and one is a woman in her 70’s who passed on Monday, October 12, 2020. Neither patient was hospitalized prior to their deaths. With their passing, Big Horn County’s death toll from COVID-19 has reached 31 and the County’s fatality rate is 2.8% (31 out of 1,110 total). The Big Horn County COVID-19 Response Unified Coalition wishes their family, friends, and the entire community of Big Horn County comfort and strength in this time of sorrow. Big Horn County added 11 new cases of COVID-19 on Sunday, October 11, 2020 and 10 new cases on Monday, October 12, 2020 for a two-day total of 21 new cases of COVID-19. Of the 21 new patients, 17 presented with and four were (not showing when tested. Nine patients were found through contact tracing of previously-reported patients and 12 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 3 3 6 Age 30 – 39 1 - 1 Age 40 – 49 3 3 6 Age 50 – 59 2 - 2 Age 60 – 69 - 1 1 Over age 70 2 1 3 Totals 12 9 21 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 82 94 176 Age 20 – 29 94 89 183 Age 30 – 39 97 107 204 Age 40 – 49 71 55 126 Age 50 – 59 68 62 130 Age 60 – 69 60 57 117 Over age 70 45 32 77 Totals 564 546 1,110 963 116 31 ---PAGE BREAK--- Page 2 of 2 Recoveries in Big Horn County remain at 963. 31 persons are deceased. Of the 116 active cases, 98 patients are quarantining and recovering at home. The number of Big Horn County resident patients currently hospitalized in hospitals in the region is 18. Month Number of Cases April 3 May 27 June 44 July 249 August 357 September 294 October to date (10/12/2020) 136 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