14 new cases of COVID-19 reported, state announces more aid

HELENA — The state reported 14 new cases of coronavirus early Thursday, with eight of those being in Gallatin County, five in Big Horn and one in Yellowstone County, bringing Montana's total to 539.

The new numbers were released as Montana started moving June 1 into phase two of reopening. There have been several cases reported recently in Big Horn and Yellowstone counties. Big Horn has 36 confirmed cases and Yellowstone has 103.

Also on Thursday, Gov. Steve Bullock said funding was being made available through the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act to help local governments with COVID-19-related expenses, give more financial aid to small businesses and boost in-state processing and storage capacity for local meat processors.

The money for local governments can be used for items like medical expenses, public health expenses, or employees’ regular and overtime hours substantially dedicated to mitigating or responding to COVID-19, Bullock said.

Localities will submit requests for reimbursements by June 12, July 17, Sept. 4, and/or Dec. 1, and will be reimbursed within 30 days. For more information, go to covidrelief.mt.gov or email questions to LGSportalregistrations@mt.gov.

Local governments may also be eligible for reimbursement through the Federal Emergency Management Agency Public Assistance grant program for costs related to emergency protective measures as a result of COVID-19, such as emergency operations center activities, training, facility disinfection, technical assistance and more.

He said an additional $25 million will be added to the Business Stabilization Program to help small businesses in recovering from the economic stress of COVID-19. The program, which is operated by the Department of Commerce, was initially allocated $50 million. The program has received more than 8,000 applications, with funding requests totaling more than $60 million. Learn more and apply at covidrelief.mt.gov.

Montana received $1.25 billion from the CARES Act.

The Montana Meat Processing Infrastructure Grant is available to aid small and medium-sized meat processors.

Due to interruptions in national supply chains, meat processing capacity throughout the U.S. has been significantly impacted. Supporting in-state meat processing infrastructure and capacity will provide alternative market channels for Montana’s cattle, hog and poultry producers.

Examples of eligible expenses include equipment and infrastructure that increases processing and/or storage capacity, costs associated with becoming state or federally inspected, and other business adaptation and diversification activities.

Bullock also announced an additional $25 million will be added to the Business Stabilization Program to aid small businesses in recovering from the economic impacts of COVID-19. The program, which is operated by the Department of Commerce, was initially allocated $50 million. The program has received more than 8,000 applications, with funding requests totaling more than $60 million. Learn more and apply at covidrelief.mt.gov.

In May, the state made $123 million in CARES Act grants available through nine programs to aid Montana families, small businesses, non-profits, health services centers hit by the coronavirus.

He said the money is going out the door to "dang near every county in our state." 

"We are already getting reports this money is making a difference," Bullock said.

Of the state's new cases Thursday, 12 remain active in Yellowstone County and 27 are active in Big Horn County, the state said. Gallatin County, which has 14 active cases, has had 163 confirmed cases.

The Big Horn County cases involved two men in their 50s, a man in his 70s and a man and woman in their 80s, according to the state website covid19.mt.gov.

The Gallatin County cases involved two men and two women in their 30s, a man and woman in their 20s, a man in his 60s and a woman in her 80s. The Yellowstone County case was a woman in her 30s, the state said. 

Of those, 467 have recovered, 55 remain active and one person is hospitalized out of 68 hospitalizations. There have been 17 deaths in Montana due to the respiratory illness.

Big Horn County officials said late Wednesday that two cases were tested as the result of symptoms. Three were asymptomatic and tested during one of the sentinel surveillance testing events on May 27 and 28 in Crow Agency and Hardin.

They said eight of the earlier confirmed-positive patients have recovered. One person is hospitalized and the remaining 27 patients are quarantining and recovering at home.

Sentinel surveillance testing is random testing of a community to determine spread of a particular disease.

There have been 36 cases of COVID-19 surfacing in Montana since May 29, after Montana had gone through several days of no new confirmed reports. There were 12 cases reported Saturday and 10 cases reported Sunday

The state on Monday began phase two of reopening after a stay-at-home order was put in place on March 26. In phase two, out-of-state visitors are no longer required to complete a 14-day quarantine, groups of 50 people can gather, if they maintain physical distance and restaurants, bars and gyms can operate at 75% capacity.

Montana's three entrances to Yellowstone National Park reopened. Parts of Glacier National Park are scheduled to open on Monday, according to The Associated Press.

Also on Monday, the Montana Department of Labor & Industry said that more than 49,000 Unemployment Insurance payments totaling over $48 million were issued May 25-29, providing benefits to Montanans impacted by COVID-19.

The department noted that May 18-22 it made more than 52,000 Unemployment Insurance payments totaling more than $56 million.

Montana’s phased plan to reopen began on April 26 with phase one, which allowed schools, places of worship, main street and retail businesses, and restaurants, breweries, and bars to reopen under social distancing guidelines. Gyms, movie theaters and museums had the option to reopen under the first phase on May 15.

Reporter Phil Drake is our eye on the state capitol. For tips, suggestions or comment, he can be reached at 406-231-9021 or pdrake@greatfallstribune.com. To support his work, subscribe today and get a special offer.