Outbreak of SARS-CoV-2 Infections Associated with Large Public Gatherings — Barnstable County, MA, July 2021 | MMWR | Virus World | Scoop.it

This report describes COVID-19 outbreaks associated with large public gatherings in Massachusetts, including COVID-19 vaccine breakthrough infections.

 

What is already known about this topic?

Variants of SARS-CoV-2 continue to emerge. The B.1.617.2 (Delta) variant is highly transmissible.

 

What is added by this report?

In July 2021, following multiple large public events in a Barnstable County, Massachusetts, town, 469 COVID-19 cases were identified among Massachusetts residents who had traveled to the town during July 3–17; 346 (74%) occurred in fully vaccinated persons. Testing identified the Delta variant in 90% of specimens from 133 patients. Cycle threshold values were similar among specimens from patients who were fully vaccinated and those who were not.

 

What are the implications for public health practice?

Jurisdictions might consider expanded prevention strategies, including universal masking in indoor public settings, particularly for large public gatherings that include travelers from many areas with differing levels of SARS-CoV-2 transmission.

 

Published in MMWR (July 30, 2021): http://dx.doi.org/10.15585/mmwr.mm7031e2