Opening party for one rural Illinois bar led to 46 COVID-19 cases

A bar in rural Illinois held an opening party indoors, where attendees often didn't wear masks or practice social distancing. Within two weeks, 26 people who attended the event and three staff members tested positive for COVID-19 Of 71 close contacts, 17 also tested positive within 14 days of contacts for a total of 46 cases linked to the party. Two of the close contact cases were student athletes, which forced a school to suspend in-person classes for two weeks. Three of the close contact cases were among nursing home staff and residents, including one who was hospitalized after testing positive