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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 15th Death from COVID-19 Nine newly-confirmed cases of the virus HARDIN, MONTANA (August 20, 2020) – Big Horn County today confirmed the 15th death of a County resident, a woman in her 60’s, due to 2019 novel coronavirus (COVID-19). She passed away on Monday, August 17, 2020, and had been hospitalized prior to her death. The Big Horn County COVID-19 Response Unified Coalition offers our warmest sympathies to her family, friends, and the entire community of Big Horn County on her loss. Big Horn County again added nine new cases of COVID-19 on Wednesday, August 19, 2020. Of the newly-confirmed cases, six presented with and three were (showing no when tested. Three likely contracted the virus through community spread, as there are no known contacts with previous cases at this time. Four patients were tested as a result of contact with a previously-confirmed positive patients and one likely contracted the virus during recent travel. The new cases are: Age Ranges Female Male Totals Under age 10 - - - Age 10 – 19 - - - Age 20 – 29 1 - 1 Age 30 – 39 - 1 1 Age 40 – 49 2 - 2 Age 50 – 59 1 1 2 Age 60 – 69 1 1 2 Over age 70 - 1 1 Totals 5 4 9 Total confirmed positive cases of COVID-19 in Big Horn County: Age Ranges Female Male Totals Recovered Active Deaths Under age 10 24 29 53 Age 10 – 19 42 47 89 Age 20 – 29 49 45 94 Age 30 – 39 48 61 109 Age 40 – 49 37 30 67 Age 50 – 59 33 39 72 Age 60 – 69 31 33 64 Over age 70 19 12 31 Totals 283 296 579 370 194 15 Recoveries in Big Horn County remain at 370. 15 persons are deceased. Of the 194 active cases, 177 patients are quarantining and recovering at home. The number of Big Horn County resident patients currently hospitalized remains 17. ---PAGE BREAK--- Page 2 of 2 On the 19th day of August, Big Horn County has surpassed the number of cases seen in the entire 31 days of July (249), reaching 256 new cases in August. Month Number of Cases April 3 May 27 June 44 July 249 August to date (8/19/2020) 256 Big Horn County wants to remind all residents of the County to please 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. 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