Bad News, Good News Comes From Wisconsin COVID-19 Superspreader Event

Bad News, Good News Comes From Wisconsin COVID-19 Superspreader Event

A faith-based retreat for high school boys in Wisconsin morphed into a COVID-19 superspreader event, leaving 115 people positive for the novel coronavirus.

Business Insider reports 76% of campers and staffers came down with COVID-19 after a single camper developed symptoms. The camp implemented some mitigation strategies, like requiring the 152 attendees to quarantine at home for a week before travel.

However, it didn't require mask wearing or social distancing during the retreat.

Public health officials say attendees should have quarantined for two weeks, not one.

One bit of encouraging news?

24 people who had antibodies against the virus before attending the camp never tested positive for COVID-19.

These findings provide preliminary evidence that detectable antibodies might provide protection against new SARS-CoV-2 infections for an unknown duration.

Wisconsin Department of Health Services