GREAT FALLS — Cascade County in central Montana has issued a public health order limiting indoor events to 250 people and outdoor events to 500.
The Cascade City-County Health Department issued the order Friday that also requires organizers of events with 100 to 500 people submit an event packet for approval before the event can take place.
The Great Falls Tribune reports that officials say the restrictions are reasonable and intended to protect the community from the coronavirus.
For most people, the new coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough that clear up in two to three weeks. For some — especially older adults and people with existing health problems — it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia, and death.
Montana on Saturday had 1,677 confirmed cases and 29 deaths due to the virus, according to a tally by Johns Hopkins University.
The number of infections is thought to be far higher because many people have not been tested, and studies suggest people can be infected with the virus without feeling sick.