Montana reports 2 more deaths, 104 new cases of COVID-19

HELENA, Mont. (AP) — Montana health officials reported two more deaths due to COVID-19 Wednesday and confirmed another 104 cases.

A Yellowstone County man in his 60s died at his home on Tuesday, the county health department said. Information on the second death wasn't immediately available. Forty-two Montana residents have died due to the respiratory virus and 52 people are hospitalized.

The state has had more than 2,800 people test positive for COVID-19 and just over 1,200 are currently known to be infected. The number of infections is thought to be much higher because many people have not been tested.

Montana has confirmed 1,797 cases of COVID-19 in the first three weeks of July, compared to 1,016 from mid-March through the end of June.

Gov. Steve Bullock planned a news conference Wednesday afternoon to discuss the state's increasing case numbers and to give an update on the state's Coronavirus Relief Fund.

For most people, the coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia and death. The vast majority of people recover.