Live concert blamed for COVID-19 outbreak

FELTON >> A concert at Felton Music Hall this month led to a sizable COVID-19 outbreak, the venue posted on its social media Monday night.

After the Los Angelesbased Grateful Shred band performed in the hall on July 18, one person who attended showed COVID-19 symptoms. When the band got tested, nearly all of the members tested positive for the coronavirus, according to an Instagram post.

“Apparently, the vaccine does not prevent transmission. But fortunately, it does seem to really help in reducing sickness and preventing hospitalization,” band members of the Grateful Shred said in their own statement.

Soon thereafter, it was discovered a staff member had also contracted the coronavirus. Since then, all staff members have taken rapid tests and are in the process of taking PCR tests to detect any COVID-19 infection.

“In addition to the band, we have had multiple confirmed cases of COVID-19 from people that attended our concert,” the venue leadership wrote in its post. “Over the weekend we sent out two emails keeping ticket purchasers informed.”

Felton Music Hall is asking anyone who was present to get tested for the virus. In the meantime, it will remain closed until Thursday when all testing of its employees has been completed.

Improving protocols

As a result of the outbreak, the venue said on social media that it will require all concertgoers and staff to wear masks when inside the venue.

“This is for the safety of all! We ask that anyone attending an event take their temperature before attending and if they are feeling any symptoms to please stay home,” employees wrote.

Vaccination was also encouraged in the post “to ensure normal life can resume.”

The venue is working with the County of Santa Cruz Public Health Division in order to proceed safely, it said in its statement. County health officials did not respond to a request for comment on the situation.