As of Tuesday, May 18, 2021, Montana reports 110,861 confirmed COVID-19 cases, with 148 new cases reported in the last day: 36 in Yellowstone County, 27 in Cascade County, 23 in Gallatin County, 14 in Missoula County, 11 in Ravalli County, and more new cases in 18 more Montana counties. Most Montana counties do not report over the weekend, and so official case counts do not include the most populous Gallatin County, Yellowstone County, and others. The number of active coronavirus cases in Montana is 974. Currently, 63 people are being treated in Montana hospitals for COVID-19. The most active cases are in Cascade, Yellowstone, and Flathead Counties. 1,602 people have died in Montana of COVID-19. Four more deaths have been reported in the last day. Nationwide, more than 586,000 Americans have died of COVID-19. There have been 33,000,000 cases of coronavirus in the US, and counting.

The International Energy Agency, which was founded by rich industrial nations after oil shocks in the 1970s to promote secure and affordable energy supplies, says the world needs to stop drilling for oil and gas right now to prevent a climate catastrophe. In order to reach net zero carbon emissions by 2050, the influential group says that investment in new fossil fuel supply projects must stop immediately, and no new coal-fired plants should be approved.

Montana’s public university system is no longer requiring that masks be worn on its campuses, although colleges are being asked to still consult with local health officials before changing their policies. State Commissioner of Higher Education Clayton Christian announced the policy change, which he called a “significant step toward a full return to normal operations.”