Montana COVID-19 Cases Surpass 200; 3 More in Gallatin County

Gallatin County saw five more confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the past twenty-four hours, raising our total to 79. Of those cases, zero patients in the county are hospitalized and none have died.

Compare that to Toole County in the north part of Montana. The small county of nearly 5,000 residents announced today their third death from the coronavirus. In total, they've only had six patients test positive for the virus. Three have died.

The state of Montana pushed over 200 cases of COVID-19 today. As of 7 p.m. on Tuesday night, there are 217 confirmed cases of the coronavirus in the state. There have been six deaths.

While Montana remains under a stay-at-home order, a number of essential businesses remain open for citizens during the duration of the order through April 10. This includes pharmacies, grocery stores, gas stations, takeout food and food delivery, call centers and more. Here are tips for employees of these essential businesses who are still reporting to work:

• It is important to remember that lots of people at this point may have been exposed to COVID-19, but they still need to be out to get essential goods and services. The virus is not anyone’s fault and there are ways to protect yourself.

• Clean hands often: use soap and water and wash for 20 seconds. Soap and water should be used if hands are visibly dirty.

• Use alcohol-based hand sanitizer containing at least 60% alcohol if soap and water is not an option. However, this should not replace washing hands often with soap and water.

• As much as possible, avoid touching products or surfaces that customers or fellow crew members touch.

• Stay home if you have respiratory illness symptoms or have been in close contact with someone who has symptoms.

• Protect your family and roommates: on-site workers should wash clothes as soon as they get home.