As of Wednesday, July 15, 2020, Montana reports 2,096 confirmed COVID-19 cases, with 145 new cases reported in the last day: 72 in Gallatin County, 27 in Yellowstone County, 8 in Flathead and in Garfield County, 7 in Big Horn County, 6 in Cascade County, 5 in Missoula County, 2 in each of Lewis & Clark, Ravalli, and Richland Counties, and 1 in each of Beaverhead, Carbon, Lake, Madison, Rosebud, and Sweet Grass Counties. Statewide, 145 people have been hospitalized, and 37 people are currently being treated in the hospital for COVID-19. Yellowstone County has had 584 cases so far, surpassing Gallatin County, with 489 cases so far. The most active cases are in Yellowstone County, with 396 active cases. Gallatin County has 242 active cases. There are a total of 1,147 active cases statewide, and 915 people have recovered from the disease. 34 people have died in Montana of COVID-19. Nationwide, more than 138,000 Americans have died.

Montana now has the highest percentage increase in the continental U.S. of coronavirus cases. Montana saw a 242% increase in cases in the past two weeks and a 770% increase in the last month. That’s the highest percentage in the nation behind the U.S. Virgin Islands. In the last month, Montana’s active cases of COVID-19 have risen from 55 to more than 1,000.

A statewide directive requiring face masks in Montana is effective immediately. Governor Bullock issued the directive Wednesday. The directive requires that masks be worn over the nose and mouth in indoor settings and where social distancing cannot be maintained, and said businesses will have the right to deny entry to anyone not wearing a mask. Businesses, government offices and other indoor spaces open to the public must ensure that employees, contractors, volunteers, customers, everyone wear a face mask that covers the mouth and nose, provide face coverings for employees and volunteers, and post signs stating that face coverings are required for people 5 years old and older. The directive also requires face coverings at organized outdoor activities of 50 or more people, where social distancing is not possible or is not observed. Businesses, indoor spaces open to the public, and sponsors of organized outdoor activities may deny entry, refuse service or ask any person to leave if they refuse to wear a face covering. If necessary, businesses and government offices may rely on peace officers to enforce the state’s trespassing laws if a person refuses to wear a face covering and refuses to leave the premises.

Canada has announced an extension of its border closure to August 21, due to increasing cases and deaths from coronavirus in the US.

Walmart and Sam’s Club will require customers to wear masks in all U.S. stores to protect against the coronavirus starting July 20. The retailer will place employees, dubbed “Health Ambassadors,” near the entrance to “remind those without a mask of the new requirements,” it said. Stores will have a single entrance. Walmart’s decision follows similar moves by Costco, Starbucks, and Best Buy. Walmart already requires that its workers wear masks.

In Billings School District Two, mask wearing will be mandatory when kids return to school this fall. The district superintendent and Yellowstone County health officer say masks are required for teachers and students returning to school in the fall. Masks were already required for summer school programs.

A month-long ban on evening fishing will go into place Wednesday on much of the lower Madison River, a measure meant to protect the river’s trout from rising water temperatures. The so-called “hoot owl” restriction will ban fishing between 2 p.m. and midnight each day on the Madison from Warm Springs fishing access to the river’s confluence with the Jefferson River near Three Forks. The closure is scheduled to end Aug. 15.