EAST LANSING, MI – An outbreak of coronavirus derived from an East Lansing bar has increased to 51 cases in a matter of days.
Health officials first warned of the exposure site on Tuesday, June 23, when there were 14 known cases of the COVID-19 coronavirus associated with visits to the Harper’s Restaurant and Brew Pub between June 12 and 20. On Wednesday, the total number of cases increased to 25. On Thursday night, June 25, 51 cases had been identified, including two in people who did not visit the bar but contracted the virus from someone who did, reports ClickOnDetroit.
Of the 51 people, 37 are Ingham County residents, according to the Ingham County Health Department. People are between 16 and 28 years old. None of them has been hospitalized. Ten are asymptomatic, meaning they have no symptoms but are contagious.
The health department is asking anyone who has visited the bar from June 12 to 20 to quarantine for 14 days and be tested.
“Given the number of cases in this outbreak, we consider this to be a higher risk exposure than a typical visit to a restaurant or bar,” said Linda S. Vail, Ingham County Health Officer. “There are likely to be more unidentified COVID-19 infected people. We need help from people who went to Harper’s during the exposure dates so that we can contain the outbreak. We need everyone to be exposed to staying home.”
During quarantine, people should stay home, control symptoms, and distance themselves from other household members.
Even Harper customers who test negative for the virus should continue to be quarantined because there is a possibility of false negative results, the health department said.
Harper’s followed employee safety procedures, capacity, and table spacing when inspected by the health department after cases were related to it. The bar voluntarily closed Monday night to improve security, including modifications to its HVAC system.
People who want to be tested for the coronavirus can contact their primary care physician or visit a test site at no cost.
On Thursday, June 25, the Department of Health and Human Services announced 353 new cases and 19 new deaths from the previous day, bringing state totals to 62,306 known cases and 5,887 deaths related to infectious respiratory disease. That was the highest daily number of new coronavirus cases since May 31.
COVID-19 PREVENTION TIPS
In addition to washing their hands regularly and not touching their faces, officials recommend practicing social distancing, assuming anyone can carry the virus.
Health officials say you should stay at least 6 feet from others and work from home, if possible.
Use sanitizing wipes or sanitizing spray cleaners on frequently touched surfaces in your home (door handles, faucets, countertops) and bring hand sanitizer when you go to places like stores.
Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer also issued an executive order requiring people to cover their faces with their mouths and noses while inside closed public spaces.
Additional information is available at Michigan.gov/Coronavirus and CDC.gov/Coronavirus.
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