Flathead at 23 COVID-19 cases

Flathead County had 23 positive cases of coronavirus as of Saturday evening, and the state recorded another virus-related death.

The Missoula City-County Health Department on Saturday confirmed the state’s sixth COVID-19 death. The department said the person was middle-aged or older, but didn’t release any other details.

“Our team at the health department sends our deepest condolences to their family, friends, and loved ones at this terrible time,” the health department stated.

“We know this loss will be felt by our whole community, as Missoula is like a big family. We urge people to continue being vigilant and supportive of each other as we all work together to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and protect each other, especially those most vulnerable.”

Flathead County’s new positive cases Saturday included a man in his 70s, a man in his 20s and another patient that’s unidentified.

The Montana Department of Health and Human and Services website is also showing that Toole County had 15 positive cases. New cases there included a woman in her 50s, a woman in her 80s and a woman in her 90s. Toole County has recorded two fatalities.

The rural county, which has a population of about 4,700 people, is on par case-wise with larger areas such as Lewis and Clark and Cascade counties that are both home to at least 65,000 residents. Toole County has one critical access hospital with just over 20 beds.

According to the most recent tally from the Department of Public Health and Human Services, as of Saturday evening, 281 people had tested positive in the state. More than 6,500 people have been tested statewide.

Gallatin County has the most positive cases in the state by a wide margin, with 109 cases, followed by Yellowstone County at 38. In Northwest Montana, Lincoln County had six cases, Lake County had four and Glacier, Liberty and Hill Counties each had one.