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Montana COVID-19 Report (Wednesday, April 21)

Coronavirus particle, illustration. Different strains of coronavirus are responsible for diseases such as the common cold, gastroenteritis and SARS (severe acute respiratory syndrome). A new coronavirus (2019-CoV) emerged in Wuhan, China, in December 2019. The virus causes a mild respiratory illness that can develop into pneumonia and be fatal in some cases. The coronaviruses take their name from their crown (corona) of surface proteins, which are used to attach and penetrate their host cells. Once inside the cells, the particles use the cells' machinery to make more copies of the virus.

There were 156 newly confirmed COVID-19 cases reported in Montana on Wednesday, and the statewide death toll since the pandemic began is 1,553, according to data compiled by MTN News.

The number of active cases in the state is currently 946, according to MTN News, and there has been a cumulative total of 107,800 cases of the virus in Montana. Of the total cases, 105,301 have recovered.

There are currently 63 people hospitalized for treatment of the virus, and the cumulative number of hospitalizations is 4,943.

The number of tests performed in the state has reached 1,269,561, an increase of 3,668 during the previous 24-hour reporting period.

The total number of COVID-19 vaccine doses administered in Montana is 655,143, and the number of residents who are fully immunized is 284,985.

Check the map below for the most current information.

The numbers reported by MTN reflect the latest data from the Montana COVID website, along with supplemental data received from county health departments.

Note: As new COVID-19 cases continue in Montana, the disparity between state data from DPHHS and local data from county health departments also continues.

MTN has decided to use a combination of these sources to deliver more accurate information across all media platforms. We feel this is a more truthful accounting of the situation in Montana.

Local county health departments may be alerted to cases before Montana DPHHS. As those counties share that information with the public, MTN feels it should be reflected in our reporting. Using that local data means there will be times when MTN coronavirus data does not align with the state report.

Written by Paula Mattison

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