As of Friday, November 6, 2020, Montana reports 37,947 confirmed COVID-19 cases, with the third-highest record number of new coronavirus cases, 986, reported in the last day: 147 in Cascade County, 105 in Yellowstone County, 98 in Gallatin County, 96 in Flathead County, 71 in Powell County, 70 in Missoula County, 52 in Silver Bow County, 47 in Lewis & Clark County, and more new cases in 30 more Montana counties. Three days in the past week, record high new daily cases were reported. Statewide, 1,447 people have been hospitalized, and 437 people currently are being treated in Montana hospitals for COVID-19. There are 13,921 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 and Cascade County, and Gallatin County, Lewis & Clark County and Missoula County. 419 people have died in Montana of COVID-19. Just this week, 44 Montanans have died of COVID-19. More than half of all the COVID deaths in Montana occurred in the last month. More Montanans have died of COVID in just the last week than died of the flu all last year. Nationwide, more than 236,000 Americans have died of COVID-19. There have been 9,760,000 cases of coronavirus in the US, and counting.

The Gallatin City-County Health Board has implemented stricter health rules in an effort to limit the spread of COVID-19. Indoor and outdoor group gatherings are now limited to 25 people, regardless of the ability to socially distance. There are significant exemptions, including schools, organized youth activities and churches. Bars, tasting rooms, distilleries, casinos and restaurants must now close at 10 p.m. Delivery and carry-out services are exempt from the new hours. Group size at tables has been cut and is now limited to no more than six. Businesses deemed higher risk, such as gyms, bars, restaurants and coffee shops, must reduce their capacity to 50%. The new rules are a response to an ongoing surge in COVID-19 cases. Gallatin City-County Health Officer Matt Kelley said the new restrictions are aimed at limiting contact between people who might otherwise not interact.

The seven-day rolling average of daily cases showed a 31.5% increase from a week prior. Cases are occurring throughout the county and in all age groups, although the increase in cases is more rapid among those ages 20 to 29. The rate of tests coming back positive has been trending upward for weeks and is now 18.7%, showing the county is not doing enough testing and disease is widespread. The county is also seeing an uptick in hospitalizations and hit a record of 19 on Thursday. A Bozeman Health official said the hospital is worried about the rising rate of infection coupled with the number of health care workers that have had to quarantine due to exposure to the virus. In the last month, Gallatin County has reported six of its 10 COVID-19 deaths.

Gallatin County isn’t alone in seeing COVID-19 cases surge. Cases are increasing across Montana. Some hospitals — particularly in Billings and Great Falls — are struggling to care for people and are close to capacity or full, and state officials have asked the federal government for more health care workers. Flathead Co. health workers are reporting the COVID-19 surge there outpaces capacity. In recent weeks, some other counties have implemented new restrictions. Cascade County has reduced capacity and hours at many businesses and Missoula and Yellowstone counties have limited most gatherings to 25 people.

In Gallatin County, active coronavirus cases have been reported in Belgrade Middle School and Belgrade High School, Bozeman High School and Gallatin High and Manhattan High School, as well as at Petra Academy and a number of elementary and middle schools. Some schools have closed to in-person classes due to coronavirus cases.