138 Coronavirus Cases (COVID-19) Now Linked to Outbreak in East Lansing Bar

EAST LANSING, Mich. – Health officials have now linked 138 cases of the coronavirus (COVID-19) to an outbreak at a bar in East Lansing.

On June 23, authorities said more than a dozen people who visited Harper’s Restaurant and Brew Pub tested positive for COVID-19. In just eight days, that number has skyrocketed in more than 100 confirmed cases.

The Harper coronavirus outbreak has contributed greatly to the entire Lansing region, which includes Clinton, Eaton, Gratiot, Ingham and Shiawassee counties, being moved to the “high risk” category of Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s MI Safe Start Map.

The seven-day average of cases per million population increased from 4.9 on June 13 to more than 50 last weekend.

Of the 138 people who tested positive, 119 of them visited Harper’s, authorities said. The age range of these clients is from 18 to 28 years.

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Health officials have identified 19 secondary cases or people infected by someone who came to Harper’s. The age range of these cases is from 16 to 63 years.

None of the 138 patients have been hospitalized, and 36 are asymptomatic, according to authorities.

Breakdown of confirmed case increases:

Bars and restaurants in Michigan they were allowed to reopen on June 8 with regulations designed to prevent spread of the coronavirus.

Patients who tested positive at Harper’s were at the bar between June 12-20. Health officials said that anyone who has visited the bar during that time period should be screened for COVID-19 symptoms. Symptoms can develop up to 14 days after exposure.

Health officials respond

“Anyone could have COVID-19,” said Linda S. Vail, Ingham County Health Officer. “You never know because some people with coronaviruses are not yet sick and some people never have signs of the disease. We need people to treat every person they meet as a potential company. That means wearing masks and staying six feet away from others. I strongly urge everyone to take precautions so that we can reduce infections and keep businesses open. “

Health department inspectors said Harper followed proper safety protocols. The bar voluntarily closed Monday to remove lines and modify its HVAC system, authorities said.

“We know that the virus can spread when people are very close to each other and are not wearing face covers,” said MSU President Samuel L. Stanley Jr. “These positive cases underscore the importance of personal responsibility. among our students, faculty, and staff, and take the necessary steps to protect ourselves and others from unnecessary transmission of COVID-19. This includes using a cloth face that covers public spaces and avoiding large gatherings. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the members of our Spartan community affected by this virus and we wish them a speedy recovery. We will continue to work in partnership with the health department to facilitate any necessary contact tracing and redouble our efforts to educate our community about the importance of preventive measures that we all must take. “

Anyone who wants to get a coronavirus test can call their doctor or visit a test site.