GREAT FALLS — Here is the latest information about COVID-19 (coronavirus) in Montana as of the morning of Tuesday, December 22, using data from the Department of Public Health & Human Services and county health departments:
- TOTAL CASES: 78,423
- ACTIVE CASES: 7,816
- CURRENT HOSPITALIZATIONS: 253
- TOTAL HOSPITALIZATIONS: 3,332
- RECOVERIES: 69,682
- DEATHS: 933
Change in total cases from last update based on MTN data: +573
Change in deaths since last report based on MTN data: +15
New deaths were reported in the following counties: Missoula, Gallatin, Glacier, and Ravalli. The counties with the most deaths to date are:
- Yellowstone: 150
- Cascade: 91
- Big Horn: 59
- Flathead: 51
- Roosevelt: 51
- Missoula: 48
- Silver Bow: 41
- Gallatin: 36
- Hill: 36
- Lewis & Clark: 34
- Glacier: 33
- Rosebud: 27
- Ravalli: 25
- Blaine: 23
- Dawson: 23
SOURCES: The numbers reported above reflect the latest data from the official Montana COVID website as well as supplemental data from county health departments. The disparity between numbers provided by the MT Department of Public Health & Human Services (DPHHS) and numbers from county health departments continues to grow as COVID cases escalate in Montana. MTN News uses both state data and county data to provide more accurate and timely information. As a result, numbers reported by MTN do not align with the DPHHS figures.
- Great Falls residents receive COVID vaccine
- What's in the $900 billion COVID relief package?
- Debunking COVID vaccine myths
- COVID vaccine arrives in Great Falls
- US Covid deaths in perspective
- Do you plan to get the COVID vaccine?
- First-round COVID-19 vaccine plan for Montana
- What constitutes a COVID recovery?
CONTEXT: Not every person who tests positive actually becomes ill or exhibits symptoms. Many do not; of those who do become sick, some experience mild symptoms and do not require hospitalization. Others experience more severe symptoms, and some do require hospitalization. Every person who tests positive for COVID, however, has the potential to spread the virus to other people, including family members and friends, which is why public health officials continue to encourage everyone to wear a mask and maintain at least the recommended six feet of "social distance" when in public. The CDC released data in late August which emphasizes that people with contributing or chronic medical conditions are at much greater risk of dying from COVID-19. Click here to read more.
