Illinois health officials warn of potential exposure to the new coronavirus (COVID-19) at a prom-like indoor meeting.
© Provided by people
Getty Images
On Thursday, the Wabash County Department of Health posted a public statement on Facebook, telling members of the local community that confirmed cases of the coronavirus were linked to a “mini-prom” event held on August 4th.
“If you attend a ‘mini-prom’ at the Anderson Building in Mount Carmel, IL on August 4, 2020, you could be exposed to multiple confirmed positive cases of COVID-19,” the warning stated.
The health officials went in search of symptoms that if someone associated with the dance experiences should call their office. These symptoms included “100.4 fever, chills, coughing shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, fatigue, muscle or body muscles, headache, loss of taste or smell, sore throat, disturbance, runny nose, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea. “
© Getty Images
At least five positive cases were linked to the incident, which was not an official school meeting
At the close of the memo, the department encouraged those who did not experience any symptoms but believe that they came in contact with an infected person to reach them. (Studies have shown that some cases of COVID-19 may be asymptomatic.)
RELATED: Ryan Reynolds Asks ‘Young Folks’ in Canada to Stop Party Amid COVID-19 Pandemic: ‘Don’t Kill My Mom’
Never miss a story – subscribe to PEOPLE’s free daily newsletter to stay up to date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrities to compelling stories about human interests
As of Aug. 13, five positive COVID-19 cases have been linked to the “mini-prom,” according to WFIE, while 40 other people have been identified as potentially exposed.
“We’re just trying to warn the other kids who may have been there, that they may have been in contact with several positive cases and to look for symptoms,” Judy Wissel, manager of Wabash County Health Department, told the outlet.
RELATED VIDEO: Teacher makes final delivery after preparing 7,500 lunches for students
RELATED: Vaping Linked to Increased Coronavirus Risk in Teens and Young Adults, Research Finds
According to CNN, the state of Illinois reported the highest number of new cases since May 24, identifying over 2,260 infections.
The superintendent of Wabash Community Unit Schools, Chuck Bleyer, told WFIE that the district’s prom was canceled earlier this year, and the so-called “mini-prom” was not an official school event.
Bleyer threatened to stop local residents over public health guidelines so schools could reopen soon. “Help us stay open because we’re doing everything we can here,” Bleyer said. “But we need help if those students are not here.”
As information about the coronavirus pandemic changes rapidly, PEOPLE is dedicated to providing the most recent data in our coverage. Some of the information in this story may have changed after publication. For the latest on COVID-19, readers are encouraged to use online resources from CDC, WHO, and local public health departments. PEOPLE has partnered with GoFundMe to raise money for the COVID-19 Relief Fund, a GoFundMe.org fundraiser to support everything from frontline responders to families in need, as well as organizations that help communities. Click here for more information on how to donate.
Video: Cancer patient performs latest chemo treatment (KMBC Kansas City)
Click to expand
FOLLOWING
Continue reading
