County announces 2 more COVID deaths

Lake County recorded 127 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 during the week of Oct. 19-26, and health officials this week announced two more deaths related to the pandemic.

The most recent death was that of a male in his 70s, Lake County Public Health announced Tuesday. On Monday the department announced a male in his 90s had died. The two fatalities come on the heels of the death of a woman in her 70s that was announced Oct. 16. The county’s first death was that of a man in his 70s in July.

Additional details on the deaths are being withheld to protect the privacy of patients and their families.

As of Tuesday morning, the Lake County Sheriff’s Office had not provided an update on an outbreak at the county jail. Last week the office announced positive tests for four inmates and one staff member, though other tests were pending.

Public Health reported 635 total confirmed cases Tuesday morning, with 174 active. That’s up from 126 active cases the previous week. The county also added one hospitalization, up to five from four the previous week, with a total of 35 hospitalizations since the pandemic began. State data indicate Lake County hospitals had 22 critical care beds available Monday.

The state’s latest data on schools, updated Oct. 21, shows 35 cases within Lake County school districts and at Salish Community College, which has eight active cases. That’s up from 18 total cases on Oct. 2. Nearly every school in the county has had at least one confirmed case, though many were among remote learners. Also, all cases at Dixon, St. Ignatius and Ronan Elementary were all reported more than 14 days ago.

Hospital capacity and COVID-19 school reports are available at the Department of Public Health and Human Services website, dphhs.mt.gov.