COVID-19

Montana’s four largest health insurance companies are voluntarily waiving customer costs for coronavirus testing.

"It’s just the right thing to do," says Blue Cross Blue Shield of Montana spokesman, John Doran. "There’s a lot of scare in communities across Montana and, of course, across the nation about COVID. Obviously, the best medicine is prevention."

Add one more item to your precautionary novel coronavirus checklist: good cybersecurity habits. Officials say more malicious cyber-attacks are surfacing to capitalize on the anxiety associated with the spreading COVID-19 illness.

International travel to the U.S. is expected to decline due to flight restrictions and fears over the novel coronavirus. That downturn will take a big bite out of the U.S. travel and tourism economy. But, the virus could be boon to places like western Montana as Americans cancel their international trips in favor of something a little closer to home.

There are still no confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Montana, but experts expect that will change. If and when it does, Missoula County health officials say they’re ready.

The Missoula City-County Health Department is preparing for the coronavirus that causes COVID-19, the same way communities prepare for wildfire or flood emergencies.

Gov. Steve Bullock has created a state task force to prepare for the possible spread of the novel coronavirus in Montana. Montana's efforts now include testing for the coronavirus at the state health department.

Currently, no cases of the COVID-19 illness are reported in Montana.

Restrictions on air travel out of China due to the coronavirus are already having an impact on Montana’s tourism season. Businesses in West Yellowstone say bookings by Chinese tourists are down.

There are currently no reported cases of the new coronavirus in Montana. This, however, may only be temporary. State public health officials say they’re preparing for the worst.