On July 4, partygoers at the Torch Lake sandbank in northwest Michigan are being encouraged to monitor symptoms of the coronavirus after several attendees have been released, the state health department said.
“If you were at the Torch Lake Sandbar party over the weekend of July 4, you should monitor for signs and symptoms of COVID-19,” the Northwest Michigan Department of Health said in an announcement Friday.
The celebration, where boaters docked at the lake’s sandbank and got out of their boats for fun, drew large crowds.
The local health department said another health agency in the state alerted “several people” who tested positive for COVID-19 after attending the sandbar party.
Torch Lake, which is near Traverse City, has been placed under the “medium risk” category by the state’s “safe start” map.
Health officials say they are struggling with tracing contacts for the partygoers who were exposed.
“The positive cases were unable to provide identifying information for all potential contacts, and therefore we want the public to know that those who attended may be at risk of exposure,” the department said, warning that additional cases could come.
Michigan has been one of the states most affected by the coronavirus, with almost 70,000 confirmed cases and more than 6,000 deaths. The state’s numbers have declined since its April peak, but like many places across the United States, cases are now on the rise once again.
“This situation reminds us of how important it is to take precautions, such as avoiding large gatherings whenever possible, especially without social distancing and masking,” Lisa Peacock, a health officer, said in a statement.
