Norman limits city bar, restaurant capacity on football days

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — The city of Norman is limiting restaurant and bar seating capacities on days when the University of Oklahoma has a home football game in an effort to slow the spread of the coronavirus.

The City Council on Tuesday voted 7-1 to limit capacity to 75% and require patrons to be seated to be served.

The university previously banned on-campus tailgating and is limiting stadium capacity to about 25% of Oklahoma Memorial Stadium's more than 86,000 seats.

The Oklahoma State Department of Health on Wednesday reported 65,929 confirmed virus cases and 863 deaths due to COVID-19, the illness caused by the virus, increases of 876 cases and nine deaths from Tuesday. The actual number of cases is likely higher because many people haven’t been tested, and studies suggest people can be infected and not feel sick.

The health department reported 9,661 active virus cases and that 55,405 people have recovered.

For most people, the new coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and a 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.