Update 8:10 p.m. Big Horn County announced its ninth COVID-19-related death Thursday evening, the third of the day and the fourth within the last 24 hours.
The newest death was a woman in her 70s who had been in the hospital.
Rhonda Johnson, the county's public information officer, said the four deaths were all from different clusters in the county and unrelated to each other.
The county also added eight new COVID-19 cases Thursday night, bringing the cumulative total to 294. The county has 175 active cases, and 110 people have recovered.
The new cases are two males between 10 and 19, a woman in her 20s and two women and three men in their 30s.
Update 4 p.m.- Big Horn County announced its eighth COVID-19-related death Thursday afternoon, its second of the day and third within the last 24 hours.
The newest death was a woman in her 70s who had previously tested positive for the disease.
Big Horn County announced the death of a man in his 60s on Thursday morning, the seventh death in the county related to COVID-19.
The man was previously confirmed positive and this is the second death in the last 24 hours in Big Horn County.
The following is an excerpt from the release sent out by the county:
"With the rise in confirmed positive cases and the recent deaths, it is ever more important that everyone take necessary precautions to stay safe and healthy. Big Horn County wants to remind all residents of the County to wear a mask and social distance when outside of their homes and in public. Masks are required when engaged in indoor activities, such as shopping. Masks are not necessary in the event that residents are outdoors and unlikely to come within six feet of other people, such as while recreating or exercising alone."
It is the 56th COVID-19 related death to date in Montana.