Cases of Coronavirus reported in Minnesota and Nebraska have been linked to people attending the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally in South Dakota, which ended last week.
According to the Star Tribune, the Minnesota Department of Health reported 15 cases linked to people attending the annual event. The residents who tested positive participated in the rally and visited campsites and bars.
Minnesota officials said it was likely more cases would appear. South Dakota reported that more than 460,000 Sturgis cars were driving during the time of the rally. “Thousands of people have attended that event, and so it is very likely that we will see more transmission,” said Kris Ehresmann, director of Minnesota for Infectious Diseases, according to the Tribune. Minnesota health officials had expressed concern about the incident before it began on Aug. 7.
In Friday’s daily update, the Minnesota Department of Health reported 835 new COVID-19 cases, bringing the state’s total to 68,133.
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Nebraska reported at least seven cases linked to the rally, according to CNN. The state health department said contact tracking had been completed. The Nebraska Department of Health website reported that the state’s total positive COVID-19 cases were more than 31,000.
The South Dakota Department of Health has released three press releases warning people about potential exposure in Sturgis after the motorcycle rally. In the most recent release, officials said a person visited three companies on August 15 and tested positive for COVID-19. The department said the person visited the Knuckle Saloon between 5 and 6 p.m.; the Broken Spoke Saloon between 6 and 7 p.m.; and One Eyed Jack’s Saloon between 7:15 and 11:30 p.m. “Due to the risk of exposure, individuals who visited these companies during the specified dates and times should check 14 days after symptoms they should check,” the release said.
An earlier update had warned about another individual who had visited One Eyed Jack’s Saloon on August 11, between noon and 5:30 p.m. Officials also said that an employee at the Asylum Tattoo Parlor who worked from August 13 to 17 also tested positive for coronavirus. People who may have been exposed were also advised to monitor symptoms for 14 days.
On Friday, the South Dakota Department of Health reported 193 new cases of the virus. The state has reported a total of 10,884 COVID-19 cases. Sturgis City Manager Daniel Ainslie told CNN that officials heard that canceling the event would have been futile, so they tried to prepare themselves well. “That we’re always heard from people saying it doesn ‘t matter, they’re coming to Sturgis. So with the decision, the council finally decided that it was really for the community to be prepared for the extra people we’ll end up having. , “he said.
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Rally organizers have criticized the continuation of the event, which has been held since 1938 and includes drag races, musical performances and more, following the COVID-19 pandemic.
Press contacts for the health departments in South Dakota, Nebraska and Minnesota did not respond Newsweek’s e-mail requested for comment in time for publication.
Michael Ciaglo / Getty
