A wedding in Maine is linked to 176 COVID-19 cases and the deaths of seven people who didn’t attend the celebration, proving just how easily and quickly the virus can spread at a social gathering.
Officials have been vocal in warning against large gatherings and continue to push preventive measures, trying to keep infection rates low.
The wedding held in Millinocket on August 7 had about 65 guests.
Residents at Maplecrest Rehabilitation and Living Center accounted for 39 cases tied to the wedding and six of the seven deaths so far, Maine CDC Director Dr. Nirav D. Shah said.
“The virus favors gatherings,” Shah added. “It does not distinguish between happy events like a wedding celebration, or sad farewells, like a funeral.”
Americans have continued to congregate, leading to outbreaks tied to a number of events, from Memorial Day and Fourth of July celebrations to a massive motorcycle rally in Sturgis, South Dakota.
About 1,500 people descended on a New Jersey boardwalk house featured in MTV’s “Jersey Shore” Monday night, ending in eight arrests.
The event was organized by a group of YouTube pranksters. Officials say they are worried about how to track possible infections among more than a thousand people.
