HELENA — Montana has confirmed another 90 COVID-19 cases in testing reported from Saturday through Monday, bringing the total number case known cases in the state over 900.
Health officials announced 23 new cases on Saturday, 11 on Sunday and a record one-day total of 56 on Monday, for a total of 919 verified cases.
Montana’s previous single-day high for COVID-19 cases was 35 on both March 26 and June 24.
Gallatin County reported 23 new cases and Yellowstone County reported 21 over the three days. Both counties have 55 people who are known to be infected among 288 statewide.
Gallatin County health officials say they’re seeing coronavirus transmission connected to crowded settings like bars, restaurants and parties and that community transmission is similar to what the county saw when the COVID-19 pandemic initially struck.
“This is serious and we need people to take it seriously,” health officer Matt Kelly told the Bozeman Daily Chronicle.
Nine of the new cases reported Monday were on the Blackfeet Indian Reservation, with more possible community spread, tribal health officials said in a Facebook post.
“It is not a joke! Take it seriously!!! Please. Stay home,” the Blackfeet COVID-19 Incident Command posted on Facebook.
Thirteen people are hospitalized with COVID-19 in Montana and 22 have died.