Parties, concerts and rodeos in the pandemic: meetings trigger cases of covid-19, but they continue to occur

Florida reaches maximum death toll 3:06

(CNN) –– Given the rampant spread of the coronavirus in communities across the United States, health officials have made it clear that the time is not yet ripe to reduce precautions.

Conversely, governors and experts from coast to coast have urged Americans to wear face masks in closed public spaces, keep their distance from others, and avoid crowded spaces.

All this, while infections throughout the country are approaching 4.4 million and more than 150,000 people have lost their lives. In addition, some experts indicate that thousands of additional deaths could be registered in the coming months.

• READ: Young people are organizing coronavirus parties and pay the first person who becomes infected, says an official

During a visit to Kentucky last weekend, Dr. Deborah Birx, who coordinates the response to the White House coronavirus, urged states with a worrying increase in cases to reduce meetings to less than 10 people, and He maintained that many of the young people who spread the virus are asymptomatic.

Despite discouraging numbers and stern warnings, some Americans have chosen to resume pre-pandemic habits, drop anti-contagion guidelines, and attend parties.

A 700 person party in New Jersey

In Jackson, New Jersey, it took police more than five hours this Sunday to finish a party with nearly 700 guests. The house was rented through Airbnb, according to authorities.

Please, friends! Please! ”Governor Phil Murphy said at a press conference on Monday. "That is unnecessarily putting uniformed men and women and their families at risk."

Murphy's decree limits indoor meetings to 100 people and outdoor meetings to 500.

Health officials said they are concerned that this event will lead to more cases of coronavirus.

"It is still too early to determine what to expect, but in the meantime it is crucial to remind residents - especially our young adults - that breaching mandatory safety measures can have serious repercussions in a community," Brian Lippai told CNN. , spokesman for the Ocean County Health Department.

"We have come a long way in the past few weeks, and incidents like this can hamper our efforts to mitigate the spread of covid-19," he added.

• LOOK: People who wear masks do not neglect other measures against covid-19, these studies say

Meanwhile, in Middletown, New Jersey, a party in early July sparked a series of cases in the area, after more than 20 teens tested positive for the virus. Attendees of the meeting were between 15 and 19 years old, authorities said.

New York Governor "horrified" by concert in Hamptons

In New York, authorities are investigating a drive-in concert in the Hamptons, after some images appeared to capture large groups of people who did not follow the guidelines for social distancing.

The "Safe & Sound" benefit concert was held in Southampton this Saturday, according to Jack Sterne, spokesman for New York Governor Andrew Cuomo. The event was led by the group The Chainsmokers and a page from the concert said about 600 vehicles would be allowed.

Cuomo posted a video on Twitter this Monday and wrote that there were "outrageous violations of social estrangement."

Videos from a concert held in Southampton on Saturday show egregious social distancing violations. I am appalled.

The Department of Health will conduct an investigation.

We have no tolerance for the illegal & reckless endangerment of public health.pic.twitter.com/gf9kggdo8w

- Andrew Cuomo (@NYGovCuomo) July 28, 2020

"I am appalled. The Health Department will carry out an investigation, "Cuomo said. "We do not tolerate illegally and recklessly putting public health at risk," he warned.

Non-essential gatherings of more than 50 people continue to be prohibited in the state, and fines for violating the social distancing protocol could go up to $ 1,000.

Over 40 Michigan Party-Related Cases

In Michigan, health officials identified at least 43 cases of the virus in connection with a large party in Washtenaw County, Michigan, earlier this month.

Most of the infections were in people between the ages of 15 and 25.

Health officials asked anyone who attended the party to voluntarily isolate themselves and monitor symptoms for two weeks. Health officials believe that more than five dozen people had face-to-face contact with a confirmed case, not including members of the household of those infected.

Thousands gather at a rodeo in protest

And in Minnesota, despite restrictions on gatherings, thousands of people - many without masks - attended a rodeo last week in protest after authorities tried to limit viewers.

"If people would like to come and protest against this ridiculous overreaching government, that they feel free to do so, I will not hinder the right of people to assemble," wrote Cimarron Pitzen, who organizes the annual event, on Facebook.

The post was shared hundreds of times and thousands answered the call. The state's latest coronavirus measures prohibit outdoor gatherings of more than 250 people, yet still require residents to keep at least 2 meters away.

CNN's Anna Sturla contributed to this report.

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