The CDC recently found that the coronavirus Delta variant spreads more easily than the common cold, the 1918 flu and smallpox.

College students will return to Montana university campuses at the end of this month. As cases of the Delta variant of COVID-19 rise, campus officials are making plans to encourage, but not require, masking and vaccines.

The U.S. Census Bureau estimates just over 400 Montana residents are somewhat likely to be evicted from their homes in the next two months.

COVID-19 claimed its one-hundredth Missoula County resident earlier this week. County commissioners marked the somber milestone Thursday with a brief ceremony.

The Department of Veterans Affairs Monday became the nation’s first major federal agency to require health care workers to get COVID-19 vaccines. Montana VA officials are now carefully reviewing the new mandate that applies to about 500 workers in the state.

Montana school officials are grappling with new mask guidance from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as COVID-19 cases rise ahead of the first day of classes. The state’s superintendent of public instruction is advocating for personal choice while public health experts push for mandates.

About one-third of Montana counties fall under the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommendations for fully vaccinated people to wear masks in public indoor places because of substantial or high transmission of COVID-19.

Delta is now the predominant variant of COVID-19 detected in Montana, according to the state health department’s latest variant report.

Public health officials in Helena are urging parents to schedule COVID-19 vaccine appointments for their teens before school starts. State education officials say parents know what’s best for their kids.

Some health officials worry COVID-19 cases could increase among the unvaccinated as people head indoors to escape hot, smokey weather.