As massive protests over the death of George Floyd spread across the country, concerns are being raised over possible coronavirus transmission given close contact.
Health experts who spoke with The Associated Press said there is a distinct possibility that asymptomatic people arriving at protests have the potential to infect many others without knowing it.
Although many of the protesters in Sacramento were seen wearing masks ranging from bandannas — which are only somewhat effective — to medical-grade N95 masks, many others were not.
“If you were out protesting last night, you probably need to go get a COVID test this week,” Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms told AP. “There is still a pandemic in America that’s killing black and brown people at higher numbers.”
Given that these protests are highly vocal by nature — demonstrators often rely on chants, rallying cries and even songs to convey their message — the potential for infection is there.
Coronavirus is spread through contact between people within 6 feet of each other, especially through coughing and sneezing that expels respiratory droplets that land in the mouths or noses of people nearby. The CDC says it’s possible to catch the disease COVID-19 by touching something that has the virus on it, and then touching your own face, “but this is not thought to be the main way the virus spreads.”
Symptoms of the virus that causes COVID-19 include fever, cough and shortness of breath, which may occur two days to two weeks after exposure. Most develop only mild symptoms, but some people develop more severe symptoms, including pneumonia, which can be fatal. The disease is especially dangerous to the elderly and others with weaker immune systems.
More than 6.1 million people have been infected with coronavirus around the globe as of Sunday evening, according to Johns Hopkins University. On Saturday, the world surpassed 6 million patients.
The world hit the 5 million mark May 21. On May 9, the global infection total was 4 million. On April 27, it was 3 million. On April 15, the world hit the 2 million mark. On April 2, it was 1 million.
Just under 370,000 people have died of COVID-19, and nearly 2.6 million patients have recovered.
The United States accounts about 30 percent of all coronavirus cases, with nearly 1.8 million. More than 104,000 Americans have been killed by the virus.
Brazil has surpassed half a million cases – far behind the U.S., but well ahead of most European and Asian nations. More than 29,000 people have died of COVID-19 in the South American country.
Russia has also seen a surge in cases that pushed it near the top of the list in infections. More than 405,000 people have been infected and nearly 4,700 people have died.
The United Kingdom has reported more than 38,000 deaths, followed by Italy (over 33,000), Brazil, France (nearly 29,000) and Spain (more than 27,000).
New York state is still the largest center of coronavirus in the United States, with more than 370,000 cases and 29,000 deaths.
California has seen 110,000 cases of coronavirus and just over 4,100 deaths as of Sunday morning. Los Angeles County has been hit the hardest, with 53,000 of its own cases and 2,000 deaths.
Sacramento County health officials have reported 1,415 cases and 56. On Sunday, 15 new cases were added to the total county. On Saturday, 27 new cases were added, marking another day of increased infection rates. On Friday, 24 new cases were added. The last death in the county was reported May 18.
Yolo County reported one case Sunday, bringing the total number of infected people there to 211. There have been 24 people killed by the virus in the county, with another death reported Friday. Of those deaths, 16 have been connected to Stollwood Convalescent Hospital in Woodland.
Placer County reported 215 cases and nine deaths as of Sunday morning, adding one new case. There were 15 new cases added Saturday.
El Dorado County reported 90 cases of the virus Friday, up six from Thursday. The majority of infections have occurred in the Lake Tahoe area, El Dorado Hills and Diamond Springs. No deaths have been reported in the county.
Sutter County reported 46 cases and two deaths as of Sunday, adding three confirmed positive tests. Yuba County added one new case on Saturday, bringing its total to 30, and one death.