A 13-year-old girl reportedly transferred the novel coronavirus to 11 people after a three-week family vacation over the summer, according to a new report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
- The case — which happened in Illinois — has been praised as a cautionary tale for how children can contract and spread the coronavirus.
- The case also serves to remind people about the dangers of traveling during the 2020 holiday season.
Details:
- The 13-year-old girl became exposed to COVID-19 during an outbreak in June.
- Her symptoms began after a rapid antigen test said she was negative.
- She had some nasal congestion. She chose to travel with her parents and brothers for a large family event.
By the numbers:
The report outlined specific numbers of how the teen infected others.
- The incident included five households from four states.
- Twelve out of 14 people who stayed in the same house for eight to 25 days tested positive for COVID-19.
- Eight relatives participated in activities that could lead to increased spread.
- Relatives did not wear masks or practice physical distancing.
Key quote:
- “Finally, SARS-CoV-2 can spread efficiently during gatherings, especially with prolonged, close contact. Physical distancing, face mask use, and hand hygiene reduce transmission; gatherings should be avoided when physical distancing and face mask use are not possible,” according to the CDC.