New York Wedding And Birthday Party Resulted In 56 People Getting COVID-19

Spanish style restaurant with white chairs and tables

Two "superspreader events" in New York have resulted in at least 56 people getting diagnosed with COVID-19. The first event was a wedding at North Fork Country Club in Cutchogue, Long Island, that was attended by 91 people. Officials said that contact tracers have linked 30 cases to the wedding and that 159 people have been asked to quarantine. 27 guests tested positive, as did two employees and one outside vendor.

On the same day as the wedding, a family in Bellport hosted a birthday party at their home, which led to 26 coronavirus cases and forced 132 people into quarantine. While the party did not violate the ban on large gatherings, officials said it shows how easily the virus can spread in indoor spaces, especially when social distancing measures are not enforced.

"These kinds of superspreader events are a threat to our public health and to our continued economic recovery," Suffolk County Executive Steven Bellone said. "This kind of blatant disregard for the well being of others is not only extremely disappointing, it will not be tolerated."

Authorities fined the North Fork Country Club $17,000 for violating the state's rule banning events with more than 50 people.

Suffolk County has been one of the hardest-hit counties in the country, with nearly 50,000 confirmed cases and more than 2,000 deaths.

Photo: Getty Images


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