Is COVID-19 On Its Way Out?

At its peak on November 17, 2020, Gallatin County was seeing 186 new COVID-19 cases per week. According to data provided by the Gallatin City-County Health Department, cases have been on a steady decline since that time. Outside of a slight rise two weeks ago, the rolling 7-Day Average of new COVID cases is down to 47 as of January 25, 2020.

Hospitalizations due to COVID have also dropped to only 6 here in Gallatin County. The decrease in new COVID-19 cases in Gallatin County are reflective in the sharp decline of COVID across the rest of the country that began around January 12, 2020.

This week the health department did report two more deaths related to COVID-19. One was a female in her 80s who passed away in the hospital the week of December 27th. The other was a male in his 60s who died in a hospital during the week of November 1st. This makes 45 deaths to date related to the coronavirus. So far, no one under the age of 50 has passed away with COVID-19 and over 90% of COVID-related deaths in Gallatin County have occurred in people over the age of 70.

In addition to fewer COVID cases locally and around the country, the state health department reported last week that no flu cases have occurred in Montana this flu season. During the 2019-2020 influenza season, 11,255 cases, 514 hospitalizations, and 41 deaths due to influenza were reported from all counties in Montana, according to the DPHSS.

For the latest COVID-19 data in Gallatin County and vaccine info, visit HealthGallatin.org.