RiverStone Health reported two new COVID-19-related deaths in Yellowstone County Wednesday.
The deaths included a woman in her 30s who died Monday in a Billings hospital and a man in his 80s who died Tuesday in a Billings hospital.
Yellowstone County's COVID-related death toll is now at 156, the highest in Montana.
Here's the full news release from RiverStone Health:
Billings, MT – RiverStone Health, Yellowstone County’s public health department, reports the death of two more Yellowstone County residents from COVID-19 related illness.
On Monday, December 21, a woman in her 30’s died in a Billings hospital.
On Tuesday, December 22, a man in his 80s died in a Billings hospital.
Yellowstone County has had 156 residents who died of COVID-related illness since the pandemic arrived.
“Far too many families are spending the holidays this year without someone they love,” said John Felton, Yellowstone County public health officer and RiverStone Health CEO. “We encourage those families and friends to take time for themselves. Allow yourself to grieve.”
The AARP encourages those grieving the loss of a loved one to:
· Be patient with yourself.
· Find a listening post.
· Remember that grieving isn’t completed in a day, a month, or even a year.
· Talk about it, cry about it and sit about it.
More information on AARP’s suggestions on how to cope with grief along with other organization’s recommendations can be found by visiting howrightnow.org. The How Right Now initiative is a place where many resources come together to help people with their feelings of grief, loss, and worry during this pandemic.
To date, 13,420 Yellowstone County residents have been infected with COVID-19.
More information on the pandemic is online atcovid.riverstonehealth.org.