State COVID-19 number over 300

The number of COVID-19 cases in Montana is now over 300.

As of Wednesday at 8 a.m., the number of reported cases in the state is 319, with two Jefferson County and eight in Madison County. The total number of tests completed in the state is 6,985 with 27 hospitalizations, and six COVID-19 related deaths.

The Jefferson and Madison County Commissioners and the Election Administrator, with input from the Jefferson and Madison County Director of Public Health have taken the option to run the Primary Election this year by mail. In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, Governor Bullock issued an Executive Order on March 26th which gave each county this option in order to help safeguard workers, our poll judges, and Montana voters.

The ballots will be counted on Election Day, June 2nd, but no polling places will be open. Ballots will be mailed from all Montana counties participating in this option on May 8.

The County Election Office is currently closed to the public, so if you are a registered local voter and do not generally vote by mail already, please contact local offices to double-check your mailing address and voting status using one of the methods below:

Madison County

843-4270

e-mail at clerkandrecorder@madisoncountymt.gov, or

FAX at 843-5264

Jefferson County

Phone: 225-4020

Email: bramey@jeffersoncounty-mt.gov

Fax: 225-4149

Officials want to ensure their records are current and that your ballot reaches you as quickly as possible.

If you are currently not registered and wish to be, please use one of the methods above.

Close of registration for this election is May 26. This is three weeks later than our normal date to give voters a longer period to register BY MAIL, rather than in person and here in the election offices. Registrations postmarked by May 26th will be accepted. We will mail ballots to these voters as quickly as possible.

If you miss the May 26th deadline, Late registration will be available at your election offices in Virginia City and Boulder beginning on May 27th. The governor's directive for the six-foot rule WILL be implemented. We urge all new voters to register by mail before that deadline in order to maintain safety.

The Town of Whitehall announced last week all April meetings will be canceled, and the school board meeting scheduled for Tuesday was also canceled.

Governor Steve Bullock took steps to bolster food security for Montana Families during the statewide COVID-19 emergency.

The actions will extend federal food assistance for more than 100,000 Montanans, increase food supply at food banks and streamline nutrition assistance for new mothers and children.

Bullock is extending federal food assistance to more than 100,000 Montanans, increase food supplies at emergency food pantries and food banks, and streamline nutrition assistance for new mothers and children. All of these changes are made available through flexibility and funding provided in the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act and will be implemented by the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services.

"Montana families are already doing everything they can to make ends meet," Governor Bullock said. "But hardworking Montana families have been forced to take on even greater challenges during the COVID-19 public health emergency. As we continue to do everything possible to protect Montanans from the spread of this virus, making sure children and families in our state don't go hungry is a crucial priority."

The state will double its supply of food commodities from the federal government that will be provided at no cost to people in need of short-term hunger relief through food pantries, food banks, soup kitchens, tribal partners, and senior centers. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) makes commodity foods available to states for distribution to low-income people through emergency food providers.

Governor Bullock is also using new flexibility through the CARES Act to allow SNAP participants in Montana to continue receiving assistance for at least 6 months and to waive the three-month time-limit that applies to certain SNAP recipients. Families will not have to reapply during the emergency – their benefits will be automatically renewed. Additionally, Governor Bullock is requesting from the USDA the maximum food assistance available for families eligible for SNAP in April and May. These changes are expected to help more than 100,000 Montanans.

Montanans who receive food assistance from SNAP can check their balance online 24 hours a day, 7 days a week by opening an account at apply.mt.gov. Clients can also check their benefits by calling 1-866-850-1556.

Finally, the state is making it easier for new mothers and those caring for young children to access the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) by providing services over the phone, and more flexibility in purchasing WIC foods at the store. Local clinics can be found through an easy search at http://www.signupwic.com. More information may be found at http://www.wic.mt.gov or by calling 1-800-433-4298.

Current WIC recipients can easily check their benefits by using the WICShopper application, calling the number on the back of their card, or asking their clinic staff or store staff to provide them a benefit balance.

The Jefferson County Radio DES (Disaster and Emergency Services) station in your area is providing COVID-19 updates when they become available. Currently, there is COVID-19 news and information at the top and bottom of each hour and will continue for the duration of this emergency. The Jefferson County Radio Stations in your area are: Basin 98.3 FM, Boulder 105.9 FM, Cardwell 106.1 FM, Elk Park 103.7 FM, Jefferson City 100.3 FM, Montana City 105.9 FM, and Whitehall 106.5 FM.

Governor Steve Bullock also announced a Directive that allows Montana hospitals and related facilities to receive financing to remain open and acquire the supplies needed to respond to COVID-19.

"For weeks both urban and rural hospitals have served on the frontlines of this crisis and they need our support to continue protecting Montanans," Governor Bullock said. "Today's Directive offers resources to keep hospital doors open, purchase supplies, and will ensure health care workers provide lifesaving care across the state."

Governor Bullock's Directive will allow health care, medical, and related facilities to receive financing under the Montana Facility Finance Authority Act for operating expenses connected to COVID-19. The Directive will allow facilities to receive immediate financial support to continue operating during the emergency.

In an effort to meet a surge in needed COVID-19 medical services, Montana health facilities have delayed non-critical procedures and pushed back appointments, such as outpatient surgery and physical therapy, which have resulted in a loss of revenue. In addition to losing revenue, Montana health facilities are scrambling for necessary supplies, leading to escalating expenses. While the combination of lost revenue and increasing expenses is difficult for all Montana health facilities, those located in rural Montana face particularly severe impacts. Multiple rural hospitals report having either no cash on hand or not enough cash on hand to fund operations into April.

The federal stimulus package, the Coronavirus Aide, Relief and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) will provide support for operating expenses, but the funding may not arrive for months. Many Montana health facilities have an immediate need for lending support and waiting for federal funds to arrive could put the health of Montanans at risk.

Funding from the Montana Facility Finance Authority will provide low-cost funding to allow facilities to purchase supplies, pay staff, and remain open during this challenging time.