BETA
This is a BETA experience. You may opt-out by clicking here

Breaking

Edit Story

Partygoers Around The Country Are Contracting Coronavirus

This article is more than 3 years old.
Updated Jul 2, 2020, 11:47am EDT

TOPLINE

As the July 4th holiday weekend approaches, officials around the country have announced a profusion of Covid-19 outbreaks from house parties, including one in which Alabama young people are accused of hosting parties in order to get Covid-19, and attendees can receive a payout if they are infected.

KEY FACTS

Around 300 teenagers were exposed to Covid-19 at a party called “Pong Fest” in Lakeway, Texas, according to CNN; several teenagers have since tested positive and multiple people who attended the party were waiting for coronavirus test results.

Officials in New York’s Hudson Valley are reporting another cluster that stemmed from a mid-June house party with attendees in their 20s; the host was allegedly experiencing symptoms during the event, reports the Daily Voice.

D.C. socialite Ashley Taylor Bronczek, 37 followed a virtual gala she co-hosted that raised $800,000 for the Washington Ballet with a backyard soiree for “a couple dozen” friends in June; Bronczek was diagnosed with Covid-19 shortly after, though she failed to immediately notify guests and staff for fear of social fallout, reports the Washington Post.

A man in Elsinore, California, attended a barbeque last month and felt sick immediately after, got a positive test result on June 18 and died on June 21; a guest apparently attended the party knowing he was positive for the virus, according to CNN.

A May 30 surprise party in Northern Texas ended with 18 infected relatives (out of 25 attendees) with both grandparents remaining hospitalized since mid-June, KHOU 11 reports.

CNN reported on Thursday that young people in Alabama are hosting parties where coronavirus-positive individuals are encouraged to attend and the first to subsequently contract the virus is rewarded with a payout, city officials told the network. 

Key Background

The risk of contracting coronavirus at a gathering increases with the number of people in attendance and the longer the duration of the event, says the Centers For Disease Control and Prevention. The CDC recommends virtual activities rather than in-person ones as coronavirus spikes across the country with 23 states pausing or walking back plans for reopening. Health officials have issued warnings about gatherings over the Fourth of July weekend, with cities like Cleveland postponing its fireworks display, and NIAID director Dr. Anthony Fauci saying that gathering at an indoor bar is “bad news” on Tuesday, encouraging social interaction to occur outdoors.


Further Reading

COVID-19: New Cluster Linked To Large Party In Clarkstown (Daily Voice)

The virus didn’t stop a Washington socialite from throwing a backyard soiree. Then the tests came back positive. (Washington Post)

Hundreds of Texas teens exposed to coronavirus at ‘Pong Fest’ party (New York Daily News)

North Texas family shaken after 18 relatives test positive for COVID-19 following surprise birthday party (KHOU 11)

Full coverage and live updates on the Coronavirus

Send me a secure tip