The Flathead City-County Health Department on Friday morning confirmed another four COVID-19-related deaths, bringing the county’s death toll to 58 individuals.

According to health officials, two of those four deaths are associated with long-term care facilities. Details on the other two deaths were not provided.

“We extend our sincerest sympathies to all loved ones affected by these deaths,” said Joe Russell, health officer for the Flathead City-County Health Department. “In order to protect our most vulnerable, we must remain diligent in our prevention efforts until the vaccine is widely available to our community.”

State data shows Flathead County was nearing 10,000 cumulative cases, as of Friday. New cases in the area had been steadily declining since late November, but Russell, who became health officer in mid-December, has cautioned that now is not the time for the community to let its guard down on mask wearing and social distancing.

Overall, nearly 86,000 Montanans have tested positive for the virus since March, state data shows. About 80,000 of those individuals have recovered and more than 1,000 have died from the virus. As of Friday, there were about 205 active hospitalizations in the state, including 14 in Flathead County.

The Flathead City-County Health Department updates its novel coronavirus website daily with case counts and press releases.

Reporter Kianna Gardner can be reached at 758-4407 or kgardner@dailyinterlake.com