A wedding received in Maine in early August led to an outbreak of the novel coronavirus that infected more than 50 people and resulted in one death, according to health officials in the northeastern state.
The Maine Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has announced that it is launching an investigation into the August 7 incident last Monday after 24 people who attended the wedding at the Big Moose Inn in Millinocket tested positive for COVID-19. On Saturday, health officials said 53 infections are now linked to the incident and one person has died, Main’s The Portland Press Herald report.
“Social gatherings such as weddings and receptions increase the risk of virus transmission,” the Maine CDC said in a press release sent to Newsweek. “The possibility of COVID-19 transmission increases as the number of attendees increases, even if some attendees are indoors and others are outside. This is because outsiders can reasonably be expected to come in and interact with others, and the possibility of COVID-19 transmission. “
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The state health agency said that “cases have been identified in individuals ranging from 4 to 98 years old. The median age of cases is 41 years, with 23 percent of cases younger than 18 years and 28 percent older than 60 years old.”
Newsweek reached out to Big Moose Inn for comment, but it received no response by the time of publication.
The woman who died as a result of the outbreak did not attend the wedding but was immediately infected by one of those present, according to health officials. Of those who were known to be infected by the incident, 23 did not attend but were infected through those who did attend. About 65 people in total attended the reception.
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“Those who attend social gatherings should follow physical distance directions, including wearing cloth face cover when not eating and keeping a distance of at least 6 feet between individuals and 6 feet between household groups,” the Maine CDC said in a press release. the survey last week added.
Big Moose Inn received a “rising citation for health hazard” due to the outbreak of the event, New England NECN affiliate NECN reported. Although the citation did not include a fine at this point, it could lead to a fine depending on how the investigation proceeds.
“They were purposeful, united and signaled that they were addressing these issues and the issues that were raised in advance,” Nirav Shah, the director of Maine’s CDC, said, according to NECN. “If there is further evidence of non-compliance, then there are financial penalties involved.”
In the press release emailed to Newsweek, the state agency stated that indoor events present a greater risk of COVID-19 transmission. It found that a higher number of participants also increased the chance of transfer.
“Individuals who do not feel well or who believe they could come into contact with the virus should not attend social gatherings of any size. Attendees should wear face masks at all times other than when eating or drinking,” it said. .
Since the beginning of the novel pandemic coronavirus, Maine has seen a total of 4,331 cases and 130 deaths, according to The New York Times‘tracker. The current seven-day average of the state of new cases stands at 25 per day.
