LA celebrants may have caused surge
LOS ANGELES – The Los Angeles Lakers winning the NBA Finals coincided with a spike in COVID-19 cases in Los Angeles County, and it’s “highly likely” watch parties held by Lakers fans and the victory celebration outside Staples Center contributed to the spike, the L.A. County Department of Public Health said.
That has fueled concerns of another potential spike in COVID-19 transmission rates because the Los Angeles Dodgers entered Tuesday night one victory away from winning their first World Series title in 32 years.
The Dodgers lead the Tampa Bay Rays 3-2 in the best-of-seven series. If a seventh game is needed, the teams will play Wednesday in Arlington, Texas.
“As fans continue to watch and celebrate the mighty L.A. sport teams, we are mindful that if individuals are not adhering to the health officer order requirements of distancing, infection control and masking, cases will continue to rise which, unfortunately, not only leads to increased illness and deaths, but also slows down our recovery journey,” the agency said Monday.
Since early October, the average number of new daily confirmed coronavirus cases in Los Angeles County has increased to 1,200 a day from 900 a day.
“It is impossible to determine the exact exposures that contributed to this increase,” the agency said. “However, it is highly likely that gatherings to watch and/or celebrate the Lakers, along with any other gatherings that occurred 2-3 weeks ago where people weren’t wearing face coverings and were in close contact with each other, contributed to the rise in L.A. County cases.”
More than 1,000 revelers swarmed streets outside Staples Center on Oct. 11 after the Lakers’ title-clinching victory over the Miami Heat. The Los Angeles Police Department said it arrested 76 people during the Lakers’ downtown celebration.
The Dodgers have held drive-in events with a capacity of about 1,000 cars this postseason after Major League Baseball opted for neutral sites for the majority of the playoffs. Security has enforced social distancing during the events, with cars parked in adjoining parking lots and the game telecast projected on 60-foot screens.