State public health officials report that a patient at the Montana State Hospital patient has died due to COVID-19 related illness.
The patient, a resident of Lewis and Clark County, passed away on Aug. 31 at the hospital, according to the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPPHS).
This is the first COVID-19 related death at the Montana State Hospital and was reflected on the Wednesday state COVID-19 tracking map.
DPPHS noted in a news release that no further information about the death will be released to "protect the privacy of the deceased and their family and to comply with state and federal law."
“Our heartfelt sympathy goes out to this individuals’ friends and family,” DPHHS Director Sheila Hogan said. “This is a tragic reminder of the seriousness COVID-19 can have to vulnerable populations. I offer my sincere condolences to all those who have lost a loved one to this disease."
There are no current active COVID-19 cases at the Montana State Hospital. There have been a total of nine hospital staff and eight patients that have been infected with COVID-19. The remaining 16 individuals have all recovered.