As of Sunday, Dec. 13, 2020, Montana reports 73,303 confirmed COVID-19 cases, with 691 new cases reported in the last day: 191 in Yellowstone County, 111 in Flathead County, 69 in Lewis & Clark County, 49 in Missoula County, 47 in Gallatin County, 46 in Cascade County, 36 in Ravalli County, and more new cases in 27 more Montana counties. Statewide, 3,080 people have been hospitalized, and 365 people are being treated in Montana hospitals for COVID-19. The most active cases are in Yellowstone and Cascade Counties and in Flathead and Lewis & Clark Counties. 818 people have died in Montana of COVID-19. Nationwide, more than 301,000 Americans have died of COVID-19. There have been 16,500,000 cases of coronavirus in the US, and counting.

In Montana, the age‐adjusted mortality rate among Native American residents is 11.6 times higher than white residents. Nationally, COVID-19 Mortality is Twice as High Among Native Americans. Data from 14 states confirms the deadly and disproportionate toll the coronavirus pandemic has taken on American Indians and Alaska Natives. Long-standing inequities in areas such as public funding, infrastructure, and access to health care, education and other social determinants of health have contributed to health disparities that put Indigenous people at higher risk from COVID-19. Financial and transportation barriers may have prevented Indigenous patients from timely care, resulting in more severe illness. The data comes as federal officials have just approved a COVID-19 vaccine for emergency use in the U.S., and as officials prepare to distribute limited doses. A new report says, “Federal, state, tribal, and local partners should consider the AI/AN disparities from COVID-19 and other underlying factors when developing their vaccine allocations strategies”.

Montana is No. 2 in the nation for COVID-19 nursing home deaths. There have been 324 deaths so far in Montana in senior facilities: 216 in long-term care facilities and 108 associated with assisted living facilities in Montana. For every 100 nursing home residents in Montana, 3.12 die of COVID-19. South Dakota had the highest nursing home death rate with 4.82 deaths for every 100 residents.

The Montana Department of Corrections (DOC) reported on Thursday that a 71-year-old Montana State Prison inmate died on Tuesday of COVID-19. It was the fifth inmate death due to COVID-19. As of Thursday, the Montana State Prison had four active cases and one hospitalization from the virus.

Local hospitals and clinics, including Benefis Health System, Great Falls Clinic and Indian Family Health Center, expect to receive shipments of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine this coming week. The first round of vaccinations will prioritize health care workers.