As of Tuesday, October 20, 2020, Montana reports 24,093 confirmed COVID-19 cases, with 706 new cases reported in the last day: 123 in Flathead County, 67 in Yellowstone County, 62 in Missoula County, 60 in Gallatin County, 52 in Big Horn County, 42 in Cascade County, 40 in Hill County, 39 in Lewis & Clark County, 37 in Powell County, 20 in Glacier County, 19 in Deer Lodge County, 19 in Silver Bow County, 13 in Blaine County, 13 in Stillwater County, and more new cases in 24 more Montana counties. Statewide, 1,055 people have been hospitalized, and 360 people are currently being treated in Montana hospitals for COVID-19. There are 8,999 active coronavirus cases in Montana. The most active cases are in Yellowstone, Flathead and Glacier, Missoula, Cascade, and Gallatin Counties. 252 people have died in Montana of COVID-19. Nationwide, more than 221,000 Americans have died. There have been 8,280,000 cases of coronavirus in the US, and counting.

A third surge of coronavirus infections has now firmly taken hold across much of the U.S. The latest wave — most acute in the Midwest and West — threatens to be the worst of the pandemic to date. Hospitalizations are on the rise nationwide. And we know that a rise in deaths tends to lag behind a spike in cases. Cooler weather is leading to more indoor activity, which often leads to new cases, and many Americans seem tired of pandemic restrictions. But it’s important to follow health protocols. The best thing you can do is to avoid exposure to coronavirus.

A Texas woman died of coronavirus ‘on the jetway’ on a flight from Arizona. The woman was in her 30s. Officials said, “It became difficult for her to breathe, and they tried to give her oxygen. It was not successful. She died on the jetway.” The disclosure comes as case counts continued to rise in 25 states. New cases jumped in Texas last week. Experts have warned of a “third peak” of coronavirus cases as the holidays approach.

The Missoula City-County Health Department temporarily closed two more bars over the weekend, Missoula’s Stockman’s Bar and Benny’s Frenchtown Club, after their continued failure on public health protections. Last week the Missoula health department closed the Missoula Club and the Alcan Bar. The Missoula health department issued five more orders for businesses or dormitories to comply with public health directives like face masks and social distancing.