As of Sunday, April 18, 2021, Montana reports 107, 145 confirmed COVID-19 cases, with 57 new cases reported in the last day: 17 in Flathead County, 15 in Missoula County, 7 in Yellowstone County, 5 in Cascade County, and more new cases in 5 more Montana counties. The number of active coronavirus cases in Montana has increased to 1,014. Currently, 50 people are being treated in Montana hospitals for COVID-19. The most active cases are in Gallatin and Yellowstone Counties. 1,546 people have died in Montana of COVID-19. Eight more deaths have been reported in the last two days. Nationwide, more than 566,000 Americans have died of COVID-19. There have been 31,600,000 cases of coronavirus in the US, and counting.

Appointments for COVID-19 vaccines are now readily available in Gallatin County after months of high demand challenged the county’s low supply. There are now consistently open appointments at clinics run at the Gallatin County Fairgrounds and at Bozeman Health.

Montana hunter education changes would permanently allow online-only classes, but some instructors are concerned. The change was enacted last year as a temporary measure due to the problems of group gatherings during the pandemic. Now Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks wants to make it permanent, which isn’t sitting well with some of the 1,000 volunteers who teach the in-person classes for FWP.