POLSON — Local health officials announced the first COVID-19 related death in the Mission Valley on Thursday morning.
Lake County Public Health reports that a man in his 70s died in a Flathead County hospital.
"It is with deep sadness that we announce the first death of a Lake County resident from complications due to COVID-19," a social media post states.
Lake County Public Health states that no further information will be released in order to protect the privacy of the person and family members.
There are now a total of 43 deaths in Montana related to COVID-19. On Wednesday, state health officials reported that a man in Yellowstone County and a man in Sweet Grass County died as a result of the virus.
RELATED: 2 additional deaths, 104 new COVID-19 cases reported in Montana (Wednesday, July 22)