As of Monday, December 27, 2021, Montana reports 196,044 confirmed COVID-19 cases, with 382 new cases of coronavirus infection reported since Thursday: 80 new cases in Missoula County, 77 new cases in Gallatin County, 42 new cases in Lewis & Clark County, 40 new cases in Flathead County, 31 new cases in Yellowstone County, and more new cases in 28 more Montana counties. The number of active coronavirus cases in Montana is 1,775. Currently, 112 people are being treated in Montana hospitals for COVID-19. 2,899 people have died in Montana of COVID-19. Four more people’s deaths have been reported since Friday. Nationwide, more than 815,000 Americans have died of COVID-19. There have been 52,200,000 cases of coronavirus in the US, and counting.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Monday that people who test positive for Covid-19 but have no symptoms should isolate for five days, down from the previous recommendation of 10 days isolation.

Rock music icon and lead guitarist for the band Queen Brian May has urged the public to get the Covid-19 vaccine, after telling fans on Instagram he’s been having a “truly horrible” time since testing positive for the virus last week.

For the second year in a row, college bowl games are being canceled as coronavirus case counts climb. Rosters are also depleted by injuries and players either opting out of games or transferring to other schools.