Full Text
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Rhonda Johnson, Public Information Officer, Big Horn County (406) 679-0572 Big Horn County Announces 16th Death from COVID-19 Nine newly-confirmed cases of the virus HARDIN, MONTANA (August 31, 2020) – Big Horn County today announced the 16th death of a County resident, a man in his 70’s, due to 2019 novel coronavirus (COVID-19). He had been hospitalized prior to his death. The Big Horn County COVID-19 Response Unified Coalition offers our deepest condolences to his family, friends, and the entire community of Big Horn County. Big Horn County added nine new cases of COVID-19 on Monday, August 31, 2020. Of the newly- confirmed cases, seven presented with and two were (showing no when tested. Seven likely contracted the virus through community spread, as there are no known contacts with previous cases at this time, while two patients were tested as a result of contact with a previously-confirmed positive patients. The new cases are: Age Ranges Female Male Totals Under age 10 - - - Age 10 – 19 - 2 2 Age 20 – 29 1 1 2 Age 30 – 39 1 - 1 Age 40 – 49 1 - 1 Age 50 – 59 2 1 3 Age 60 – 69 - - - Over age 70 - - - 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 27 31 58 Age 10 – 19 46 59 105 Age 20 – 29 53 59 112 Age 30 – 39 59 72 121 Age 40 – 49 43 36 79 Age 50 – 59 41 44 85 Age 60 – 69 35 37 72 Over age 70 22 16 38 Totals 326 354 680 548 116 16 Recoveries in Big Horn County increased by 39 to 548. 16 persons are deceased. Of the 116 active cases, 100 patients are quarantining and recovering at home. The number of Big Horn County resident patients currently hospitalized is 16. ---PAGE BREAK--- Page 2 of 2 For the month of August, Big Horn County added 357 new cases of COVID-19. Month Number of Cases April 3 May 27 June 44 July 249 August to date (8/31/2020) 357 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