Michigan’s new coronavirus group dates back to a big house party where at least 43 people ages 15-25 have tested positive
- At least 43 cases of coronavirus have emerged from a party in Saline, Michigan
- The big meeting took place in a house on July 2-3, health officials said.
- Most of the new cases correspond to young people between 15 and 25 years old.
- Of those infected, 66 ‘close contacts’ have been exposed and have identified
At least 43 new cases of coronavirus in Michigan date back to a ‘big house party’ that took place the weekend of July 4.
Health officials in Washtenaw County are investigating a COVID-19 group in the city of Saline, about nine miles southwest of Ann Arbor, that emerged after a meeting on July 2 and 3.
So far, 43 people, most aged between 15 and 25, have tested positive, while another 66 “close contacts” have been exposed and identified.
Michigan health officials are investigating a COVID-19 group in the city of Saline, about nine miles southwest of Ann Arbor, that emerged after a house party on July 2 and 3.
People gather in a park amid a coronavirus pandemic in Birmingham, Michigan, last month
Close contact is considered to be anyone who had face-to-face contact with an infected person for 15 minutes or more.
The figure does not include members of the immediate family of the identified cases, which means that the number of new infections is expected to increase.
Authorities said the party has resulted in exhibitions among employees or customers at retail stores, restaurants, businesses, canoe liveries, clubs, camps, sports teams and even a retirement community.
There are also fears that it may spread to the broader community after several people traveled out of the county and state while infectious, according to a new statement from the health department.
Currently, there are 69,722 confirmed cases of coronavirus in Michigan and 6,075 deaths.
Washtenaw County, which has a population of 344,791, is reported to have a total of 1,699, with 239 probable cases and 108 people have died so far.
Data from the state health department shows the increase and decrease in coronavirus infections from March to now.
Another small group was reported in Milton Township, where hundreds of revelers had partied on a lake sandbar (pictured) over Independence Day weekend.
“This is a very clear example of how fast this virus spreads and how many people can be affected in a very short time,” said County Health Officer Jimena Loveluck.
‘We need people of all ages, including youth, to take COVID-19 seriously and follow public health guidelines and instructions. That means avoiding large gatherings without physical distancing or facial covers. It also means cooperating with the Department of Health to complete case investigation and contact tracing. ‘
Earlier this month, another small group was reported in Milton Township, where hundreds of revelers had partied on a lake sandbank over Independence Day weekend.
Shocking photos of the carefree festivities showed hordes of people filled with sand ignoring orders for social distancing and hundreds of boats huddled around the sandbank.
The saline outbreak is one of many new youth groups that have emerged as a result of parties and large gatherings since the beginning of summer.
In New York’s Rockland County, at least eight guests tested positive after a symptom-bearing host held a meeting at his home on June 17.
A crowd of up to 100 people, most in their first 20 years, appeared at the West Nyack home in violation of a state order prohibiting gatherings of more than 10 people.
Similar situations have unfolded on college campuses, particularly at UC Berkeley in California, where administrators said partiers and wives of the sorority have caused cases to skyrocket by 107 percent.
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