Montana COVID-19 cases hold steady again Monday

Montana saw no new positive tests of COVID-19 Monday, the fourth day in a row the state has not reported a new case of the respiratory illness.

There are 22 active cases in the state, with Ravalli County in southwestern Montana having the most with eight.

Ravalli County reported a spike of seven new cases last Wednesday. The Ravalli County Public Health Department is classifying the new cases as a "cluster outbreak," meaning the individuals were together. The county's public health department also reported that travel played a role in the group's infection.

Eight people who recently tested positive for COVID-19 in Ravalli County are employees of the Stock Farm Club near Hamilton, a country club developed by financial executive Charles Schwab, The Associated Press reported.

The Ravalli County Health Department said that one person is hospitalized and the other six are isolated at home.

There have been 479 reported cases of the novel coronavirus in Montana, with 441 listed as recovered by the state at covid19.mt.gov. The state has administered 32,652 tests, which is 795 more than Friday.

There have been 16 deaths in the state from COVID-19, and there are three active hospitalizations out of 65. Cascade County still has one active case, according to the state.

Bullock announced last week that Montana will begin phase two of reopening on June 1. In phase two, out-of-state visitors are no longer required to complete a 14-day quarantine, groups of 50 people can gather, if they maintain physical distance and restaurants, bars and gyms can operate at 75% capacity.

Bullock ordered all flags to be flown half-staff until Sunday at sunset to honor the victims of coronavirus and their families. 

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"My heart and the hearts of all Montanans go out especially to the 16 Montanans whose deaths were caused by COVID-19 and to their families and friends," Bullock said in a statement. 

Flags were also at half-staff on Monday until noon and then raised to full-staff in honor of Memorial Day. 

"Though we are in mourning, at noon the flag is raised to full-staff to honor the heroes still among us and symbolize that we are a living nation—resilient when faced with loss," Bullock said. 

A downward trajectory of positive COVID-19 tests and the state's ability to contact and trace cases were factors in the state's readiness for phase two.

Bullock is still encouraging people to practice social distancing and wear masks in public. Vulnerable people (65 years and older and those with health conditions) should continue to stay home.

Montana COVID-19 resources and CARES Act assistance

• People can apply for rent and mortgage assistance and access other programs through the Emergency Housing Assistance program at www.covidrelief.mt.gov.
• CARES Act funding is now available to Montana child care providers to continue serving families with essential workers and help with efforts to reopen after closing due to COVID-19. For more information, visit www.bestbeginnings.mt.gov.
• NorthWestern Energy is providing grants in the form of energy bill credits for small business customers. For more information, visit www.nortwesternenergy.com.
• For updated information on coronavirus numbers and demographics, visit www.covid19.mt.gov or www.dphhs.mt.gov.
• For mental health support, the Warmline is available at 877-688-3377 or montanawarmline.org.