Montana hit a grim milestone in the COVID-19 pandemic Wednesday. Just over 2,000 Montanans have died from the coronavirus.
According to state data, about 200 Montanans have died so far this month and nearly half of those deaths happened in the last week.
September has been the deadliest month of the current coronavirus wave fueled by the delta variant and has been over twice as deadly compared to September last year.
According to COVID Act Now, the state is averaging about 13 deaths per day, nearing its all-time high.
COVID-19 hospitalizations have also continued climbing toward near peak levels with about 420 patients statewide as of Wednesday morning. Health and hospital officials continue to say that most of those in the hospital for COVID-19 are unvaccinated.