Eighth Montanan dies of COVID-19

An eighth Montana resident, a Toole County resident, has died from COVID-19, Gov. Steve Bullock said in a press release late Thursday.

Notification of the death was provided by the Toole County Health Department on Thursday.

“As we learn of the loss of another Montanan due to COVID-19, my heart aches for the community, which has been particularly impacted by this virus, and the family members of this Montanan,” Bullock said in a prepared statement. “As we see how COVID-19 can inundate our smaller communities, I urge all Montanans to continue doing their part to protect our most vulnerable from this dangerous virus.”

Toole County has been hard hit by the virus; this is the fourth COVID-19-related death reported there. In late March the Toole County Health Department confirmed employees at Marias Heritage Center, an assisted-living facility in Shelby, had tested positive for the virus.