As of Tuesday, July 7, 2020, Montana reports 1,327 confirmed COVID-19 cases, with 80 new cases reported in the last day: fifty-five new cases in Yellowstone County, five new cases in Hill County, three new cases each in Gallatin, Park, and Ravalli Counties, two new cases in each of Big Horn, Cascade, and Madison Counties, and one new case in each of Carbon, Lake, Lewis & Clark, Stillwater, and Wheatland Counties. Statewide, 117 people have been hospitalized, and twenty-two people are currently being treated in the hospital for COVID-19. For the first time in the coronavirus outbreak, Yellowstone County, not Gallatin County, has the largest number of confirmed cases in any of the counties in the state of Montana, with 325 cases so far. Gallatin County has had 308 confirmed cases. The most active cases are in Yellowstone County, with 199 active cases. Gallatin County has 84 active cases and Missoula County has 74 active cases. There are 588 active cases statewide, and 716 people have recovered from the disease. 23 people have died in Montana of COVID-19. Nationwide, more than 132,000 Americans have died.

A Billings nursing home says 58 residents and staff have tested positive for the coronavirus, and the facility has been put under quarantine. Tuesday’s announcement came as state health officials reported a new record in Montana of 80 confirmed cases in a single day. The outbreak of coronavirus in the Billings nursing home has affected 43 of its 55 residents and 15 staff members. The Canyon Creek Memory Care Community has two residents who have been hospitalized so far, according to the county health department. The county health department suspects the outbreak began with either a staff member or visitor. Both residents and their families have been notified of the results. The Canyon Creek Memory Care Community serves adults with Alzheimer’s, dementia and other forms of memory loss. The business also offers adult day care and residential living.

A private dance for Helena High and Capital High seniors and juniors is scheduled for Wednesday at the Little Red School House despite a letter from the Lewis and Clark County Public Health Department saying the event should be canceled or limited to 50 people or fewer. The Helena 2020 Bruin-Bengal Junior/Senior Summer Prom has been in the works since May after the Helena School District canceled its dances. Organizers formed a nonprofit to raise funds for the prom and tickets are being offered free to Helena and Capital seniors and juniors. After the county approved the Senior All Night Party in May, which allowed 400 students in the Helena Civic Center, organizers of the private prom moved forward with planning. The state’s Phase 2 public health recommendations restrict events in which physical distancing cannot be achieved. The junior/senior high school dance includes an outside space with a large field, and organizers are working to incorporate safety measures.

The Trump administration has sent a letter to the United Nations withdrawing the United States from the World Health Organization over its handling of the coronavirus pandemic, a dramatic move that could reshape public health diplomacy. The notice of withdrawal was delivered to United Nations Secretary General. Under the terms of a joint resolution passed by Congress in 1948, the United States must give a year’s notice in writing and pay its debts to the agency in order to leave. Among its current functions, the WHO is attempting to coordinate efforts to get personal safety and medical equipment, like ventilators, to hospitals around the world. Some have warned that withdrawal in the current environment could also interfere with clinical trials essential for developing vaccines, as well as efforts to trace the spread of the virus globally. It is not clear whether the president can pull the United States out of the organization and withdraw funding without Congress. When Trump first threatened to withdraw, Democratic lawmakers argued that doing so would be illegal and vowed to push back. While lawmakers from both parties have long cited systemic problems with the WHO, many have also denounced the President’s decision to withdraw during a once-in-a-century global pandemic