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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 24th Death from COVID-19 17 newly-confirmed cases HARDIN, MONTANA (October 1, 2020) – Big Horn County today announced the 24th death of a County resident due to complications from the 2019 novel coronavirus (COVID-19). The decedent is a man in his 80’s who was hospitalized prior to his death. The Big Horn County COVID-19 Response Unified Coalition offers our deepest sympathies to his family, friends, and the community of Big Horn County for his tragic loss. Big Horn County added 17 new cases of COVID-19 on Thursday, October 1, 2020. Of the 17 patients, 15 presented with and two were (without when tested. Twelve (12) likely contracted the virus through community spread, as there are no known contacts with previous cases at this time and five patients were found through contact tracing of previously- reported patients. The new cases are: Age Ranges Female Male Totals Under age 10 - - - Age 10 – 19 1 1 2 Age 20 – 29 - 3 3 Age 30 – 39 3 2 5 Age 40 – 49 1 - 1 Age 50 – 59 1 1 2 Age 60 – 69 3 - 3 Over age 70 - 1 1 Totals 9 8 17 Total confirmed positive cases of COVID-19 in Big Horn County: Age Ranges Female Male Totals Recovered Active Deaths Under age 10 45 42 87 Age 10 – 19 72 78 150 Age 20 – 29 88 86 174 Age 30 – 39 88 98 186 Age 40 – 49 63 49 112 Age 50 – 59 58 56 114 Age 60 – 69 54 49 103 Over age 70 40 25 65 Totals 508 483 991 811 156 24 Recoveries in Big Horn County remain at 811. 24 persons are deceased. Of the 156 active cases, 132 patients are quarantining and recovering at home. The number of Big Horn County resident patients currently hospitalized in hospitals in the region increased from 20 to 24. ---PAGE BREAK--- Page 2 of 2 Month Number of Cases April 3 May 27 June 44 July 249 August 357 September 294 October to date (10/01/2020) 17 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. 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