HAVRE, Mont. (NMB) – Governor Steve Bullock held a press call Tuesday, April 14 to provide updates and answers to questions regarding Montana’s response to COVID-19.
During the call, Bullock released a report that analyzed COVID-19 cases in Montana and revealed that social distancing is working, and new cases attributed to travel are declining.
“It’s too soon to tell if the slow growth will continue. The report offers early signs and measures to slow the spread. Including that social distancing and staying at home are indeed working…You’ll see in the report that travel related cases contributed to the majority of the cases early in that outbreak are declining in Montana in a relative sense.”
Bullock said this analysis is important because it will help Montana make data driven decisions and wiser future responses to COVID-19.
“This analysis among other models and factors are really important in guiding both public health and emergency response experts as we engage in discussions on what our future actions and our future responses to this virus will look like.”
Bullock also commented that he wants to open up Montana’s commerce as swiftly as possible but does not want to open up businesses prematurely and throwaway the progress Montana has made in stopping the spread of COVID-19.
“Look I want to open up things – get back to a normalcy as much as any Montanan in this state. I know that Montanans are hurting especially financially, but I also don’t want to put us in a worse position than we already find ourselves in, in trying to get a hold of this virus. Compared to surrounding states that took lesser action, we have a significantly lower rate of infection per capita.”
Bullock concluded that when Montana does reopen it most likely will look different than it did before, because COVID-19 will continue to be a part of our day-to-day lives for awhile.
For more information regarding Montana’s response to COVID-19 visit mt.gov.
