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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 Eight Newly-confirmed Cases of COVID-19 Over 200 cases in December HARDIN, MONTANA (December 19, 2020) – Big Horn County added six new cases of COVID-19 on Friday, December 18, 2020, and two new cases on Saturday, December 19, 2020 for a two-day total of eight new cases. Three patients were (without and five presented with when tested. Two patients likely contracted the virus through community spread and six cases could be traced by public health to previously-known cases of coronavirus. The new cases are: Age Ranges Female Male Totals Under age 10 1 - 1 Age 10 – 19 1 1 2 Age 20 – 29 1 1 2 Age 30 – 39 1 - 1 Age 40 – 49 - - - Age 50 – 59 - - - Age 60 – 69 1 - 1 Over age 70 1 - 1 Totals 6 2 8 Total confirmed positive cases of COVID-19 in Big Horn County: Age Ranges Female Male Totals Recovered Active Deaths Under age 10 82 84 166 Age 10 – 19 171 170 341 Age 20 – 29 180 152 332 Age 30 – 39 179 164 343 Age 40 – 49 149 111 260 Age 50 – 59 150 108 258 Age 60 – 69 129 103 232 Over age 70 103 69 172 Totals 1,143 961 2,104 1,910 135 59 Recoveries in the County remain at 1,910. 59 persons are deceased. Of the 135 active cases, 115 patients are quarantining and recovering at home. The number of Big Horn County resident patients currently hospitalized in the region is 20. ---PAGE BREAK--- Page 2 of 2 Month Number of Cases Number of Deaths April 3 - May 27 - June 44 3 July 249 5 August 357 8 September 294 7 October 456 17 November 473 8 December (12/19/2020 to date) 201 11 Total since Pandemic Began 2,104 59 With the holiday season, it is more important than ever to follow the three W’s: Wash your hands; Watch your distance from other people; Wear a mask. 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