As of Wednesday, June 16, 2021, Montana reports 113,021 confirmed COVID-19 cases, with 75 new cases reported in the last day: 22 new cases in Yellowstone County, 15 new cases in Flathead County, 8 new cases in Cascade County, 8 new cases in Missoula County, and more new cases in 16 more Montana counties. The number of active coronavirus cases in Montana is 513. Currently, 54 people are being treated in Montana hospitals for COVID-19. The most active cases are in Yellowstone, Cascade and Flathead Counties. 1,649 people have died in Montana of COVID-19. Two more deaths have been reported in the last day. Nationwide, more than 600,000 Americans have died of COVID-19, which means about one in every 550 people in the US has died from the virus. There have been 33,400,000 cases of coronavirus in the US, and counting.

Cases of a dangerous coronavirus variant are ‘rapidly increasing’ in the US. The Delta variant, first reported in India, currently accounts for nearly 10% of coronavirus cases in the US.

First-term US Congressman from Montana Matt Rosendale was one of 21 Republicans to vote against awarding medals to US Capitol police, honoring their role in protecting elected officials during the January 6 insurrection. The House and Senate awarded the Congressional Gold Medal to the officers who defended the Capitol. But 21 House Republicans refused to support the legislation.

Royal Caribbean postponed the inaugural sailing of its cruise ship Odyssey of the Seas after eight vaccinated crew members tested positive for Covid-19. Major cruises lines are finally starting to set sail for the first time since the pandemic halted their movements.