The latest news about the novel coronavirus and COVID-19 in Montana.

Two Residents Of Billings Correctional Facility Test Positive For COVID-19

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

 

Two residents of a corrections facility in Billings have tested positive for COVID-19.

The cases were discovered July 4  and 6 at Alpha House pre-release center, where offenders typically spend six months before reentering society.

David Armstrong is CEO of Alternatives Inc., which operates Alpha House for the Montana Department of Corrections.

“Both of these came out of residents who had symptomatology and were sent for testing. And the test results came back positive," Armstrong said. 

Armstrong says both individuals with COVID-19 are isolated.

All other Alpha House residents have been in quarantine with their typical roommates since July 4 evening. Armstrong says the quarantine is expected to last two weeks, in accordance with expert guidance.

Armstrong says 170 residents occupy the main Alpha House building impacted by the virus.

Health officials July 7 reported more than 50 new COVID-19 cases in Yellowstone County, where Alpha House is located.

Copyright 2020 Yellowstone Public Radio

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Kevin is a UM Journalism graduate student and reporter for MTPR.