03/14/20 6:15 p.m.
The COVID-19 situation in Montana is changing quickly. Find the latest information here: Montana Coronavirus And COVID-19 News
Four cases of the novel coronavirus have tested presumptively positive in Montana. The tests are presumptively positive until confirmed by the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Gov. Steve Bullock says the Montana state health department’s laboratory confirmed the initial test Friday evening.
The cases include; a male Gallatin County patient in their 40s, a female Yellowstone County patient in their 50s, a male Silver Bow County patient in their 50s, and a male Broadwater County patient in their 50s. When the Governor’s office first announced the cases Friday, officials listed the Broadwater County patient from Lewis and Clark County. Officials corrected this Saturday, saying the patient is from Broadwater but sought care in Lewis and Clark.
“We’ve been monitoring this rapidly evolving situation and vigorously preparing for COVID-19 to reach Montana, making today’s news unsurprising,” Gov. Bullock said in an emailed statement sent out just after 7 p.m. Friday. “As our public health officials work relentlessly to prevent further spread, I urge all Montanans to continue efforts to plan and follow public health recommendations to take the proper precautions.”
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The Governor’s Office says the state health department and all involved local county health departments are learning more details about the four individuals exposure risk and travel history.
The four patients will be isolated and those who came into close contact with the individual will be monitored for 14 days for fever and respiratory symptoms per CDC guidance.
The Montana Department of Corrections has suspended visitation at all its facilities amid the ongoing COVID-19 illness pandemic.
Update, 03/14/20 4:45 p.m.
This post was updated after the Governor's office corrected their statement from Friday. The positive coronavirus cases are in Gallatin, Yellowstone, Silver Bow and Broadwater counties.
