Cases of coronavirus linked to this month’s Sturgis Motorcycle Rally in South Dakota have appeared across state lines in Nebraska, public health officials said Thursday.
At least seven new cases in the region are linked to the rally, the Panhandle District Health District confirmed to NBC News. The health department did not provide further details.
The 10-day annual meeting began Aug. 7 and ran through Sunday, drawing more than 460,000 cars, according to South Dakota’s Department of Transportation. The event was held despite concerns from residents that it could put people at risk for COVID-19, the disease associated with the virus.
At least one case was already linked to the rally. The state Department of Health said in a news release Tuesday that a South Dakota resident who visited One-Eyed Jack’s Saloon in Sturgis between noon and 5:30 p.m. Aug. 11 may have transmitted the virus to other patrons.
Videos and photos posted on social media showed a large audience gathered during a Smash Mouth performance during the rally’s opening weekend. The band headed the music festival Sturgis Buffalo Chip.
Event organizers said signs would be placed at all entry points and gathering areas to remind guests to stay socially distant, encourage the use of face masks and explain recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to help to prevent the spread of the virus.
But attendees apparently flew such accompaniment because images left them close together without masks or face masks during the set of the band. Social media users criticized Smash Mouth for its involvement in the meeting.
Frontman Steve Harwell told the crowd, “We’re all here tonight together. F — that COVID s —,” one video showed.
A representative for the group said the band had no further comment.
