Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Sturgis Rally Drew Huge Crowd; COVID Cases Could Spread Across US
AP: South Dakota Tallies 460,000 Vehicles During Sturgis Rally
This year’s Sturgis Motorcycle Rally drew more than 460,000 vehicles during the 10-day event, according to a count South Dakota transportation officials released Tuesday. ... The South Dakota Department of Health issued a warning on Tuesday that one person who spent several hours at a bar on Main Street in Sturgis has tested positive for COVID-19 and may have spread it to others. With people traveling to the rally from all over the country, the mass gathering has raised concerns it could become an epicenter of infections that are hard to track, but spread quickly as rallygoers travel home. (8/18)
CBS News: Large Coronavirus Outbreak Linked To Wedding Reception In Maine
More than two dozen Maine residents have tested positive for the coronavirus after a wedding reception in Millinocket — the state's first outbreak linked to a social gathering, officials said Monday. Millinocket Regional Hospital has confirmed that there are now 28 positive cases linked to the event and that number is expected to go up as testing continues, CBS affiliate WABI-TV reports. (8/18)
In related developments —
AP: NJ Theaters Will Remain Closed, Federal Judge Says
Movie theaters in New Jersey will remain closed, a federal judge ruled on Tuesday. The decision upholds Gov. Phil Murphy’s executive order that kept theaters closed even as other public places were allowed to reopen. Several national movie theater chains challenged the order in court in July. (8/18)
CNN: Navy Pier To Shut Down Temporarily After Labor Day Due To Covid-19 Pandemic
Chicago's Navy Pier, a popular tourist attraction, will temporarily close starting September 8 due to the pandemic. Pier officials made the announcement on Tuesday, saying that the closure is "an effort to limit the financial burden and impact of the ongoing Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic on the organization." (Asmelash, 8/18)
