Large house party tied to more than 40 cases of coronavirus, Michigan officials say

Forty-three people have tested positive for coronavirus after a large house party in Michigan, health officials said Monday.

The party took place on July 2 and 3 in the Saline area, about 9 miles south of Ann Arbor.

The majority of people who tested positive for the virus are between 15 and 25 years old, the Washtenaw County Health Department said in a news release.

At least 66 more people — referred to as “close contacts” — were exposed in workplaces and at other events following the party, according to officials.

Close contacts are people who had at least 15 minutes of “face-to-face contact” with someone who has since tested positive for the virus, officials said.

These 66 close contacts do not include family members who share a household with those infected.

The health department said it’s still working to reach every person who may have been in close contact with someone who tested positive.

Those infected or exposed either visited or work at restaurants, stores, businesses, clubs, camps and athletic teams as well as a retirement community, officials said.

“This is a very clear example of how quickly this virus spreads and how many people can be impacted in a very short amount of time,” health officer Jimena Loveluck said in the release. “We cannot hope to accomplish our goal of containing COVID-19 and preventing additional cases, hospitalizations and deaths without full community support and cooperation.”

Officials ask anyone who attended the party or know they may have been exposed to a positive case to self-quarantine and monitor their symptoms for at least 14 days. If symptoms appear, they’re instructed to get tested immediately.

“We need people of all ages, including young people, to take COVID-19 seriously and follow public health guidelines and instructions,” Loveluck said. “That means avoiding large gatherings without physical distancing or face coverings. It also means cooperating with the Health Department to complete case investigation and contact tracing.”

An investigation into the incident is ongoing.

The news comes just days after several people tested positive for coronavirus following a large gathering at Torch Lake in northern Michigan over Fourth of July weekend.

Officials warned that those who attended the party may have been exposed to the virus.