Sturgis Rally tied to COVID-19 cases in several states [Video]

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:

• More than 100 coronavirus cases tied to the 10-day Sturgis Motorcycle Rally have been reported in South Dakota and several other states, according to AP reports.
• Besides South Dakota, other states with confirmed cases included Minnesota, Wisconsin, Nebraska, Montana, North Dakota, Wyoming and Washington.
• The South Dakota Health Department said in a news release that 40 cases of COVID-19 connected with the rally were found including 3 out-of-state cases.

Weeks after the annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally in South Dakota that drew thousands of motorcycle enthusiasts from across the country kicked off despite coronavirus concerns, fears from health experts are starting to emerge.

Over 100 coronavirus cases have been confirmed in eight states, which is believed to be related to the 10-day rally, the Associated Press reported.

Cases have all been reported by the state health departments in South Dakota where the event was held, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Nebraska, Montana, North Dakota, Wyoming and Washington.

Republican Gov. Kristi Noem, who is scheduled to speak on Wednesday’s Republican National convention, however approved of holding the said event in her state.

She posted on Twitter on Tuesday saying, “We are not — and WILL not — be the subjects of an elite class of so-called experts. We the People are the government.”

Among the cases reported in the South Dakota Health Department is a patron who went to different bars in Sturgis and a tattoo shop employee. Both have tested positive for COVID-19.

The health department told ABC News in a statement that there are currently 40 cases reported to the South Dakota Department of Health associated with the Sturgis event. . “This includes three out-of-state cases that we were notified of because those cases had close contact with a South Dakota resident.”

The health department also added that South Dakota had an estimated 9,000 COVID-19 cases on August 7, the day the rally began. By August 26, positive cases have soared to 11,500. Furthermore, the state’s positivity rate of 6 percent 2 weeks prior the rally’s opening day climbed to 9% for the 14 days before August 26.

According to John Hopkins University, a high positivity rate may indicate that a state is testing only its sickest patients and not casting enough net to accurately determine how much of the virus is being transmitted within its communities.

 In May, the World Health Organization recommended governments to get their percent positive to remain below 5 percent.

Source: ABC News