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Malmstrom Air Force Base Declares Public Health Emergency

The Malmstrom Air Force Base in Great Falls has declared a public health emergency. Base officials say the base does not have any confirmed cases of the COVID-19 illness.

"We’re monitoring the situation in Montana itself so that, along with Governor Bullock’s declaration, this gives our base leaders more room and ability to better support the mission and to make decisions that will help the safety and the health of the base populace," says Denise Guiao-Corpuz, a public affairs officer at the base.

Guiao-Corpuz says the base’s declaration allows officers to potentially close down Malmstrom facilities and restrict travel. The emergency order is in place for 30 days.

Yesterday, Gov. Steve Bullock signed an executive order declaring that a state of emergency exists in Montana related to novel coronavirus.

While there are no confirmed cases of the illness in Montana, public health officials are preparing for its arrival.

Copyright 2020 Montana Public Radio. To see more, visit Montana Public Radio.

Corin Cates-Carney is the Flathead Valley reporter for MTPR.