In a recent Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report released by the CDC, 11 separate coronavirus cases across four states were traced back to one 13-year-old child.
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Exposure to the virus occurred during a three-week family gathering at which five families met. The age of the attendees ranged from 9-72 years-old. The families shared a five-bedroom, two-bathroom house and the CDC report points out that the family members did not wear masks or practice social distancing.
It should be noted that although several states began requiring masks to be worn in public in April, data confirming their effectiveness in combating the spread of the coronavirus was not known until late June and the shared house would not necessarily classify as a public space. Six relatives who later joined the event remained outdoors and practiced social distancing without staying at the house.
Of the 14 people who stayed inside the house, 12 were later diagnosed with COVID-19 after experiencing symptoms. None of the six people who stayed outdoors were diagnosed with the coronavirus.
The report used this incident to highlight that children and teens can be the source of COVID-19 outbreaks in their families even if their symptoms are mild and show the demonstrated benefit of social distancing.
The necessity to quarantine after possible exposure, even with a negative test, is also indicated in the report.
These recommendations come as President Trump recently held a rally in Florida on Monday less than 20 days after experiencing severe coronavirus symptoms. Trump’s doctor reported on Monday that he had tested negative for the virus on consecutive tests using the Abbott antigen test.