The Gallatin City and County Health Department (GCCHD) held a virtual press conference on Wednesday to discuss the surge in new positive cases in the county.
As of noon Wednesday, GCCHD was handling 49 active cases, with about 180 people identified as close contacts and asked to quarantine to limit the spread of the disease.
Health Officer Matt Kelley said GCCHD is now watching the virus spread among various groups of people and places across the county.
“Before last week, we were finding cases within a social group of young people who frequented bars and parties,” Kelley said. “More recently this week, we have found cases across multiple work settings, including among people who work in the construction, tourism industry, and other settings.”
Kelley said Big Sky is conducting surveillance tests for the public, and is eager to see if those results produce more positive cases in the coming days and weeks.
But the new cases raise a more important question: Will Galatina County require wearing masks in public?
Kelly said she had heard this, but the health department is not yet ready to make a decision.
“I hope that people will wear a mask as a simple act of courtesy to the people around us, as well as cover a sneeze or wash their hands … that’s a big decision, it’s a community decision and it’s not something we are going to do overnight. The Health Board has expressed an interest in listening to the public and really sharing the best science we have. It will be a decision of the health board no matter what happens. “
While the mask debate is ongoing, Kelley said the health department currently has no plans to re-implement large-scale restrictions as in Phase One.
