As of Friday, July 3, 2020, Montana reports 1,128 confirmed COVID-19 cases, with 45 new cases reported in the last day: twenty-three new cases in Yellowstone County, six in Missoula County, five in Gallatin County, four in Big Horn County, two new cases in Madison and Ravalli Counties, and one new case in each of Lewis & Clark Counties, Pondera, and Sheridan Counties. Statewide, 109 people have been hospitalized, and 17 people are currently being treated in the hospital for COVID-19. Gallatin County has had 282 cases so far. The most active cases are in Yellowstone County, with 105 active cases, followed by Gallatin County, with 60, and Missoula County, with 58 active cases. 678 people have recovered from the disease in the state. Sadly, another person has died in Montana of COVID-19, a person in Big Horn County; that is the fourth death there, bringing the total to 23 people. Nationwide, more than 131,000 Americans have died.

As locals and tourists make plans for Fourth of July weekend in the area, Gallatin County Health Officer Matt Kelley is urging them to refrain from crowds. The disease is spreading readily and widely in Gallatin County, and we face the potential for accelerated spread as people gather in large groups where the virus can spread more readily. There are more cases now than there were in March and April when the state was under a stay-at-home order. Cases in Montana had largely plateaued after the statewide stay-at-home order went into place on March 28. Officials predicted that cases would increase as reopening began. Phase one opened stores, restaurants and bars beginning May 4. Phase two brought the reopening of Yellowstone National Park and increased capacity in public spaces beginning June 1. The Gallatin City-County Health Department is working with 180 people who are in quarantine because they were close contacts of a confirmed patient. Close contact is defined as being within 6 feet of another person for 15 minutes or longer.

And the median age of confirmed patients has decreased in the last two months, going from 44 years old in March to just over 28 years old in May and June. It’s more important that young people adhere to physical distancing requirements and stay away from crowds. Although some may experience mild symptoms or none at all, they can spread the virus to a more vulnerable person who is likely to experience severe symptoms.

The state’s recent cases are tied to large gatherings like parties, bars and workplaces. Six weddings in five counties led to 24 cases that have impacted seven counties and two other states. Three bars in Gallatin and Yellowstone counties were connected to 15 cases. Kelley said that Big Sky in particular has seen clusters of cases associated with young people going to bars and parties. Some other clusters there are associated with workplaces, like in construction and the tourism industry. “A pandemic is not a time for large parties or crowded bars,” Kelley said.

Gallatin County announced four new COVID-19 cases on Thursday. The four new cases are in Big Sky and the Gallatin Valley, according to a Gallatin City-County Health Department news release. They stem from community spread and contact with known cases.

In Yellowstone National Park, some hotel rooms are opening to guests this month and more concession employees are going to show up to help the world’s first national park reopen during the coronavirus pandemic. Xanterra, the company that runs Yellowstone dining and lodging, will offer about 20 rooms at Lake Hotel starting July 3. Some rooms at Canyon Lodge and Old Faithful Snowlodge will open to guests July 10, and part of the Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel will open July 17. The company is adding protective measures as it re-opens — mandatory face masks in the public portions of its buildings, like hotel lobbies and gift shops. Yellowstone has conducted 577 employee tests for the virus so far. No park employees have tested positive, though a construction contractor has.