Woman dies after catching covid from guest returning from a Maine wedding causing a first cluster of 53 infections
- The unidentified person did not show up at the Aug. 7 reception in Millinocket
- But she died Friday after coming in contact with someone who did so
- About 65 people attended the reception at the Big Moose Inn; state limit is 50
- Almost half of the cases related to the event are people who did not attend
A woman died of COVID-19 after being infected by someone attending a wedding in Maine that caused a cluster of 53 infections.
The unidentified person did not attend the Aug. 7 reception in Millinocket, but died Friday after contacting someone who did.
About 65 people attended the indoor event at the Big Moose Inn, according to spokesman Robert Long of the Maine Center for Disease Control (CDC). The state limit on social gatherings is 50 people.
Those infected range in age from four to 78 years old. About 13 percent of these infections are asymptomatic. Nearly half of the cases thought to come from the wedding are people who did not attend.
A woman has died from COVID-19 after being infected by someone attending a wedding at this Maine place, causing a cluster of 53 infections
About 65 people attended the indoor event on Aug. 7 at the Big Moose Inn, according to Maine spokesman Robert Long for Disease Control (CDC)
The initial number of reported cases stood at 24, but officials at Millinocket Regional Hospital said the case number was expected to increase as tests continue and pending test results are reported.
It was the first outbreak linked to a specific social event in Maine, where most previous outbreaks are linked to workplaces or community care facilities, Long said Monday.
The Big Moose Inn was issued with a harsh citation for health hazard, Maine CDC Director Dr. Nirav Shah said Thursday. The Tri-Town Baptist Church in East Millinocket is understood to have held the wedding ceremony.
The Maine CDC said in a statement: “Social gatherings such as weddings and receptions pose an increased risk of virus transmission.”
‘The possibility of COVID-19 transmission increases as the number of attendees increases, even when some attendees are indoors and others are outdoors.
‘This is because outsiders can reasonably be expected to come in and interact with others, thereby increasing the possibility of COVID-19 transmission.
‘Indoor areas pose extra risk compared to outdoor collections, given the challenges of adequate physical distance and ventilation.’
The governor’s executive orders are held in world pandemic limit meetings to 50 people if there is enough space, while 100 people are allowed at events outside.
Participants should also follow physical distance directions and wear masks when not eating.
The orders also allow a fine of up to $ 10,000, the governor’s spokesman said.
In Maine, more than 4,000 people have contracted the virus. The death toll stands at 131, the Maine CDC said.
There are more than 5.7 million cases of coronavirus in the US with 176,801 deaths.
The Maine CDC communicates with Big Moose Inn about the nature of the event and compliance with state requirements.
Millinocket Town Manager John Davis said last Monday that he did not have all the details about the outbreak, but said there were enough concerns to close town halls and local schools as a precaution.
“We did not want to take chances,” he said.
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