As of Thursday, November 12, 2020, Montana reports 43,031 confirmed COVID-19 cases, with 962 new cases reported in the last day: 296 in Gallatin County, 175 in Yellowstone County, 114 in Missoula County, 101 in Flathead County, and more new cases in 32 more Montana counties. Statewide, 1,541 people have been hospitalized, and a record 499 people are being treated in Montana hospitals for COVID-19. There are 17,755 active coronavirus cases in Montana. In the past month, the number of active cases in Montana has more than tripled. The most active cases are in Yellowstone County, Gallatin County, Cascade, Missoula, Lewis & Clark, and Flathead Counties. 472 people have died in Montana of COVID-19. More than half of all the COVID deaths in Montana occurred in the last month. Nationwide, more than 242,000 Americans have died of COVID-19. There have been 10,600,000 cases of coronavirus in the US, and counting.

President Donald Trump’s crowded election night party at the White House has sparked another outbreak of the deadly virus. Trump campaign adviser Corey Lewandowski has tested positive for the coronavirus, as has David Bossie, who was heading Trump’s re-election legal challenges. In the week since the event, White House chief of staff Mark Meadows has tested positive for the virus, as has Housing Secretary Ben Carson, former Trump campaign adviser Healy Baumgardner, and White House political director Brian Jack. Reporters at the White House party, which lasted several hours, said that of the nearly 150 people still at the event when Trump emerged to make remarks after midnight, only one person was seen wearing a mask: Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar.

Lincoln County High School in Libby will begin remote learning on Thursday, due to an increase in COVID-19 cases and close contacts required to quarantine. Students are expected to remain remote through the Thanksgiving holiday. In Great Falls, East Middle School will close in-person learning, beginning Thursday evening, due to a high percentage of staff and students being quarantined or isolated due to COVID-19 cases or exposure. East Middle School reported 16 active cases of COVID-19 among students and staff as of Wednesday, which is five more than the previous day. Earlier this week, Great Falls Public Schools announced that the entire district would be transitioning to remote-only instruction for two-weeks starting next week. East Middle School is the fourth school closure to impact the district this school year.

The Butte-Silver Bow Public Library is closing in-person services at both branches Due to the rise in COVID-19 cases and the risk of transmission to staff and patrons. The Bozeman Public Library will move to Curbside Pickup Service only starting Friday, November 13.

A person in the Montana Secretary of State’s office has tested positive for coronavirus, closing that office. The Secretary of State’s office is in the state capitol building in Helena, which also houses the state legislature, the governor’s office, and legislative audit and fiscal divisions, and the budget office. Next week, newly elected and returning legislators from all around the state are scheduled to meet either remotely or in person in Helena, in the capitol building, an event now cast into question with positive coronavirus cases there.