Felton Music Hall sees outbreak in COVID-19 cases
SANTA CRUZ COUNTY, Calif. (KION) Felton Music Hall reports multiple confirmed cases of COVID-19 after a weekend of performances.
Grateful Shred performed at Felton Music Hall during their California Weekend tour. The Santa Cruz Health Department says there are currently four confirmed cases. The tour began in Los Angeles, where cases were also confirmed. Grateful Shred also says nearly all of the band and crew have also tested positive.
Santa Cruz County Deputy Health Officer, Dr. David Ghilarducci said, “This appears to be not limited to Santa Cruz County. This is just really the nature of how extraordinarily infectious the Delta variant is, and so very worrisome that no just being in the same room with other people is enough to catch it.
The four attendees who tested positive have been vaccinated and have a very mild illness. According to Dr. Ghilarducci, the venue followed all the rules including limiting to half capacity. It is pretty typical to detect an outbreak about a week to two later, he said. Also, it may take a few days for someone to become infectious.
"If an employee of the music hall was exposed on the 15th, it would probably take them a few days before they are actually infectious," said Dr.Ghilarducci. "So somebody who attended on the 16th or the 17th, and was exposed to that employee is probably okay, at that point.
According to the hall, they contacted ticket purchasers twice via email to keep them updated. All staff members have taken a rapid test and are currently waiting for their results. Staff will also be required to show a negative test result to work their next shift. In addition, they will now require all attendees and staff to wear a mask inside.
“In that place, if there's a lot of people yeah it makes sense to have a mask," said Santa Cruz resident, Emiliano Palacio Gomez. "I don’t want to be breathing the same air as everybody in a hot dance room. If I have to put on a mask that's fine, I can still dance sing, and talk and connect.”
Felton Music Hall will remain closed until Thursday after all testing has been done. County health officials are asking residents who’ve attended to get tested in order to know the full extent of this outbreak and keep others safe.
