At least 22 coronavirus cases were linked to an Ohio County fair late last month, a warning as more county fairs continue amid the pandemic.
A nine-page report from Pickaway County Public Health found a failure to apply safety measures to prevent illness despite a “very complete and extensive” planning process on the guidelines. At least 19 attendees contracted the virus and three others had a family member pass the virus on to them.
Authorities are also investigating the death of someone who attended the fair, but an investigation into how the person contracted the disease is ongoing, according to the report.
“The Just Board had big plans to ensure security, but security measures were not effectively implemented,” the report said.
A county health department spokeswoman confirmed to NBC News on Thursday that members of the health staff saw violations themselves.
Food vendors and other staff were seen without masks, staff members at each entrance were not using disinfectant among guests, and the seating in the stands encouraged at the event had attendees sitting too close together, according to the report. The health department said it handled complaints from concerned people during and after the fair.
“The 2020 Pickaway County Fair provided the Pickaway County Health Department with a real-world experience working on difficult problems and developing the skills to properly allow for major events during a pandemic situation,” the report said.
The Pickaway County Fair was held June 20-27, run by the Pickaway County Agricultural Society. The fair’s board did not immediately respond to an email seeking comment from NBC News.
Von Cremeans, president of the Pickaway County Agricultural Society, told the Columbus Dispatch that he did not know “how they can track him down to the fair,” unless those diagnosed with COVID-19 “lived in a bubble.”
Creameans told Dispatch that the board is scheduled to meet with public health officials to discuss their concerns about the report at a special meeting on Monday.
Ohio Governor Mike DeWine said in a tweet Wednesday that authorities were watching fairs that were breaking reopening rules and that a fair was related to 19 cases. A DeWine office spokesperson confirmed to NBC News that the governor was referring to the Pickaway County Fair.
“We want the fairs to continue, but today I spoke to the managers of the county fair and expressed to them that they must follow the rules,” DeWine tweeted.
The Butler County Fair is scheduled to start on Saturday and the Hamilton County Fair is scheduled to start on August 13, both in Ohio. The chairman of the Butler County Fair Board did not immediately respond to an email seeking comment.
