Blocks support the addition of restrictions and the strengthening of enforcement.Coronavirus

Governor Steve Bullock praised several counties on Tuesday for implementing additional restrictions to delay the spread of the coronavirus in Montana, and local authorities have already provided state resources and federal coronavirus bailouts. He said it would be available to help better enforce health regulations.

The block announcement was made when Montana reported hundreds of new COVID-19 cases daily in the past few weeks. The state added 530 new cases on Tuesday, bringing the total number of active cases across the state to 7,774.

Despite the increasing number of cases of COVID-19, Block has repeatedly refused to impose new restrictions throughout the state. Instead, he called on local and tribal governments to implement their own rules.

On Tuesday, he said, the state is now planning to provide local governments with legal resources, materials, and, if necessary, federal coronavirus bailouts to pay for enforcement-related work.

“There is no expectation that all violations of health orders will be corrected or should be corrected by enforcement, but without the support guaranteed by Montana law, public health authorities will not be able to fight the virus.” Brock said. ..

State medical officer Dr. Greg Holtzmann said the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention concluded that Arizona reduced the number of new cases after tightening enforcement and adding restrictions in June.

“We have the data, and we don’t have to wait here for it to happen before responding,” Holtzmann said. “Learn from the people around us.”

At a press conference on Tuesday, Brock also praised health officer John Felton for recently announcing new restrictions in Yellowstone County, where cases of COVID-19 are skyrocketing. Starting Wednesday, most local rallies will be limited to 25 people, half the number allowed by state-wide regulations.

“Reducing the size of the crowd in a short amount of time will make a big difference in the long run,” Brock said. “… By focusing on limiting the size and reducing the spread of meetings in Yellowstone County, our business certainly has a better shot of staying open (and) ours. Children are more likely to maintain their education in the classroom. “

Brock also said he supported efforts towards a new regulation in Flathead County. In Flathead County, the Department of Health has requested the Health Commission to approve the new rules by early November if new cases do not decline rapidly in the coming weeks.

Gallatin County is not among the counties that are trying to add restrictions.

However, cases of COVID-19 have increased locally in recent weeks. The county added 41 cases on Tuesday, bringing the total number of active cases to 228 and the total number of active hospitalizations to 5. The 7-day moving average for the new daily case is 44.4.

To date, 1,795 residents have recovered from the disease and four have died.

Jim Murphy, chief epidemiologist in Montana, said the recent increase in COVID-19 cases across the state, in part, in setting up rallies such as schools and correctional facilities, and attendees wearing masks or 6 feet He said it was due to a large rally not far away.

As the number of cases in Montana increased, so did the proportion of COVID-19 tests. In the last few weeks, the positive rate has exceeded 10%. This generally indicates that the infection is widespread and more tests need to be performed.

However, Murphy said that Montana’s testing strategy focuses on people whose high positive rates are likely to be positive, in part, that is, close contact between known cases and residents of collective living facilities. Said it was the result.

Hospitalization is also rising beyond Montana. They reached 294 on Tuesday.

The surge in hospitalizations is straining the state’s health care system. Three of Montana’s largest hospitals (Missoula’s Community Medical Center, Butte’s St. James Healthcare, and Helena’s St. Peter’s Health) reported on Tuesday that at least 90% of hospital beds were full. Two of the state’s 49 critical access hospitals, the Cabinet Peaks Medical Center and the Glendive Medical Center, have reached capacity.

“When the hospital is so full that we can’t care for those who need it, we all need to worry,” Brock said.