Coronavirus latest: US biker rally may have caused over 260,000 infections; UK to limit gatherings
- A study found that the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally in South Dakota could be the biggest Covid-19 spreading event so far in the US
- India’s cases continue to surge to 4.3 million, while South Korea’s daily cases fell and the UK will ban social gatherings of over six people
The study was published by the Institute of Labour Economics and conducted by economists at the University of San Diego who studied the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally, which drew an estimated 460,000 people between August 7 and 16. The paper has not yet been peer-reviewed.
The analysis is a statistical approximation based on anonymised mobile phone data that documented the influx in the town from non-residents and showed where they came from. The data also showed a rise in foot traffic at restaurants and bars, retail establishments, entertainment venues, hotels and campgrounds.
The bikers generally did not wear masks or practice social distancing, the study said, citing media reports.
Using data from the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the researchers then showed that a month following the rally, cases in the county where Sturgis is located rose by six or seven per 1,000.
US counties that contributed the highest numbers of attendees experienced a rise of 7 to 12.5 per cent in the number of cases compared to those that did not contribute inflows.
Researchers said their calculations indicated “a total of 263,708 additional cases in these locations due to the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally”.
A limitation of the study is that it was based on statistical methods, rather than tracking and surveying rally participants.