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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 Adds Four Confirmed Cases of COVID-19 Total of Eight Confirmed Cases in County; Six Active Cases HARDIN, MONTANA (May 15, 2020) – Big Horn County added four confirmed positive cases of COVID-19. As the Big Horn County COVID-19 Response Unified Coalition announced on their Facebook page at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, May 14, 2020, 225 residents of the County have been tested for COVID-19. Of those tested, 210 test results were negative and seven tests are pending, awaiting results at the labs. The four new confirmed positive cases bring the total number of positive test results to eight in Big Horn County. Two of the eight COVID-19 patients have recovered, leaving six active cases in the County. The four new cases are: • Two females in their teens • One male in his teens • One male in his 30’s The four previous cases were: • Two females in their 20’s • One female in her 50’s • One male in his 40’s Two of the earlier confirmed-positive patients have recovered. The remaining six patients are quarantining and recovering at home. The Indian Health Service (IHS) Public Health Nursing, with assistance from the Big Horn County Public Health Department, have been tracing the contacts of these new cases. As with previous cases, all close contacts will be notified, interviewed, and given instructions for further action if required. “With the prevalence of coronavirus in the country and around the world, we had anticipated an increase in positive cases in Big Horn County,” said Board of County Commissioners Chairman, George Real Bird III. “However, it is difficult to see it spread in our community. It is a stark reminder that COVID- 19 can happen anywhere at any time to anyone.” Commissioner Real Bird further asked Big Horn County residents to cooperate with public health in their efforts to slow the spread of the virus. Tracking down contacts to a positive case 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: (406) 638-3478 • Big Horn County Public Health: (406) 665-8720 ---PAGE BREAK--- Page 2 of 2 Because the availability of testing supplies remains limited in Big Horn County, people who are not named as a close contact and are not sick should not go to our clinics or hospitals to seek coronavirus testing. However, if you are sick or have related to COVID-19, such as a fever, cough, or difficulty breathing, please phone your healthcare provider for advice. Please remember that even if you are (not showing of COVID-19, you may be infected and can spread the virus to others. IHS Public Health Nursing and Big Horn County Public Health wish to remind all residents of Big Horn County of the best ways to prevent the transmission of this illness: stay home; wash your hands thoroughly and often; clean and sanitize frequently touched surfaces and items; wear a mask when in public; stay at least six feet away from other people; and avoid travel out of the County if at all possible. And if you are feeling sick, do not go to work or leave your home; rather, contact your healthcare provider for guidance. 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