COVID-19 leads to school closures, numerous local events postponed

On Thursday of last week, Governor Steve Bullock declared a state of emergency to exist within the state of Montana related to the communicable disease COVID-19 novel coronavirus. In an effort to slow the spread of COVID-19, later Bullock announced Sunday a two-week closure of public schools in the state from March 16 to March 27. The directives announced by Bullock also included limited visitation at nursing homes, and public guidance regarding social distancing.

Jefferson County Public Health Nurse Karen Wandel reported Tuesday there were nine COVID-19 cases reported in the state, none of wh...