More COVID-19 cases linked to Watershed Music Festival
GEORGE, WASHINGTON - JULY 30: Atmosphere during the 2021 Watershed music festival at Gorge Amphitheatre on July 30, 2021 in George, Washington. (Photo by Tim Mosenfelder/Getty Images)
GRANT COUNTY, Wash - A cluster of COVID-19 outbreaks has been connected to the three-day Watershed Music Festival at the Gorge Amphitheatre in Grant County, according to health officials.
Grant County Health District announced an update confirming that 210 cases have been linked to the music festival.
Outbreaks have been identified in King, Grant, Pierce, Skagit, Kittitas, Okanogan, Whatcom, Kitsap, San Juan, Lincoln and Stevens counties.
"The outbreak is the first one traced to an outdoor entertainment event since the lifting of statewide COVID-19 prevention measures at the end of June," said the Communicable Disease Coordinator for Grant County Health District, Laina Mitchell.
Health officials are encouraging those who attended the festival to get tested and self-quarantine.
Health leaders are also looking into a COVID-19 outbreak linked to an outdoor music festival in eastern Oregon.
Umatilla County Public Health Director Joseph Fiumara said they’ve tied 66 cases to the Pendleton Whiskey Music Fest on July 10.
"With delta, some of our assumptions with how safe an outdoor event was, probably aren’t as good as they were with the original version of this virus," Fiumara said. "I do think it means it’s not as safe as what we were comfortable with."
Health leaders continue to encourage those not yet vaccinated to get the vaccine.
"My advice to folks, is first, get vaccinated. It’s not 100%, but it will likely keep you out of the hospital and lower your risk of death," Fiumara said.
Stay connected with Q13 News on all platforms:
DOWNLOAD: Q13 News and Weather Apps
WATCH: Q13 News Live
SUBSCRIBE: Q13 FOX on YouTube
DAILY BRIEF: Sign Up For Our Newsletter
FOLLOW: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram