As of Tuesday, December 14, 2021, Montana reports 194,108 confirmed COVID-19 cases, with 199 new cases of coronavirus infection reported since yesterday: 57 new cases in Yellowstone County, 50 new cases in Gallatin County, 14 new cases in Missoula County, 13 new cases in Flathead County, and more new cases in 24 more Montana counties. The number of active coronavirus cases in Montana is 2,476. Currently, 156 people are being treated in Montana hospitals for COVID-19. 2,853 people have died in Montana of COVID-19. Twenty-three more people’s death have been reported since yesterday. Nationwide, more than 800,000 Americans have died of COVID-19. There have been 50,100,000 cases of coronavirus in the US, and counting.

The Omicron variant of the coronavirus appears more resistant to COVID vaccines but omicron may cause less severe illness, a study from South Africa finds. The study shows that two doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine give 70 percent protection against omicron hospitalization, compared with 90 percent for the delta variant.

The US Air Force has discharged 27 active-duty members who refused to get vaccinated against COVID-19 as required. The Pentagon has required vaccinations for members of the military, and the deadline for active-duty Air Force members was Nov. 2. Other branches have different deadlines. The 27 airmen were discharged for failure to obey a lawful order, and none had exemptions.

NorthWestern Energy is in violation of two federal requirements under its dam operating license after a dramatic and dangerous drop in water flows from Hebgen Dam downstream on the Madison River, according to a report filed with the Federal Energy Regulation Commission by the utility on Dec. 9.