10 new county cases

Madison County confirmed 10 new COVID-19 cases in two days, Oct. 18-19. The county has 18 active cases as of Oct. 19.

Montana confirmed 4,968 new positive COVID-19 cases and 40 COVID-related deaths last week. The state has had 252 deaths due to COVID-19, including one Madison County resident. Hospitalizations are increasing throughout the state, which is becoming increasingly problematic due to hospital bed capacities.

“We’re almost overwhelmed,” Madison County Public Health Nurse Melissa Brummell said.

According to Brummell, Montana is hospitalizing 35 people a day on average. Silver Bow, Lincoln, Lewis and Clark and Dawson counties are near their hospital bed capacities. Hospitals in Gallatin, Yellowstone, Granite and Broadwater have reached a concerning number of hospitalized patients due to COVID-19.

As of Oct. 19, 105 Madison County residents are quarantining due to close contact with a known COVID-19 case. The Madison County Public Health Department reported up to about 50 people having to quarantine due to a single COVID-19 case.

“Making sure people aren’t out and about when they’re sick is really important,” Brummell said.