COVID-19 News

Optical Re-Opens with Safeguards in Place

After temporarily closing the center to protect its patients and staff during the COVID-19 pandemic Billings’ Shopko Optical is now open to patients for all eye care and eyewear needs by appointment only. Masks will be worn by Shopko Optical staff and patients are asked to arrive with a face covering of their own.

Montana Recieves Additional Nasal Swabs

Montana has received an additional 19,500 nasal swabs and 9,000 viral transport  medium from the federal government as part of a request from Governor Steve Bullock  in a plan to test 60,000 people a month. By Monday more than 22,500 Montanans had been tested for COVID-19 since before the state’s first reported cases in mid-March.

Montana Recieves Additional Nasal Swabs

Montana has received an additional 19,500 nasal swabs and 9,000 viral transport  medium from the federal government as part of a request from Governor Steve Bullock  in a plan to test 60,000 people a month. By Monday more than 22,500 Montanans had been tested for COVID-19 since before the state’s first reported cases in mid-March.

Unemployment Rates Due to COVID-19

Over 55,000 Unemployment Insurance payments totaling approximately $60 million were issued over the week of May 4th through the 8th providing benefits to Montanans impacted by COVID-19. That includes the additional $600 weekly Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation benefits.

Montana Numbers Continue to Decline

The rate at which Montanans are diagnosed with COVID-19 continues to decline as the state begins its third week in which retailers have been able to reopen and the second week that bars and restaurants could offer dine-in options with limited capacity. Montana has 459 people who tested positive for COVID-19 four people remain hospitalized and ...