Montana’s count of active COVID-19 cases has been holding steady, with fewer than 1,000 active cases statewide. According to state data, about 40% of eligible Montanans have been fully vaccinated against the virus.
COVID-19 cases have generally spiked coming out of long holiday weekends. Cases started climbing after Memorial Day weekend last year, causing the state’s first wave.
Cindy Farr, incident commander for Missoula County’s response to COVID-19, says despite the availability of vaccines this year, the county continues to add new cases every day.
“It’s really important to remember that you should still practice precautions, so that we don’t see a spike after the weekend,” she says.
Farr says if vaccinated and unvaccinated people plan to hang out, they should continue wearing masks, staying 6 feet apart and washing their hands frequently.
Farr says it’s important people know their own risk of catching the virus, and she encourages conversations about COVID-19 precautions and comfort levels. She says some people may want to continue being cautious because they live with a family member who’s at a higher risk of catching the illness.