US woman faces hefty fine after 'causing coronavirus outbreak in Bavaria'
Despite showing symptoms of the coronavirus, a 26-year-old US citizen allegedly went out partying in the Alpine resort of Garmisch thus starting a wave of infections in the town.
Local authorities said they were still unsure what consequence the woman should face.
"This must be investigated," said city spokesman Stephan Scharf on Sunday.
Authorities believe that the outbreak was started by one so-called superspreader, a 26-year-old American woman who visited several pubs in the town at the foot of the Alps and infected several people in the process, according to news wire DPA.
According to local authorities, she already had symptoms on her pub crawl and was waiting for the results of her corona test. In Bavaria, a fine of €2,000 can be imposed for violations of quarantine regulations.
"The lady had symptoms, came to the test station and was told to stay in quarantine because of the symptoms. But she did not do so," says Scharf. The 26-year-old had just returned from a vacation in Greece.
Whether she caught the disease during the trip or afterwards in Garmisch-Partenkirchen is unclear. "We don't know where she caught it," Scharf said.
"There are often cases where people don't wait for the test result," says Scharf. "And nationality doesn't really matter. But we wanted as many people as possible to come forward who remember having had contact with the woman in a pub in the last few days."
In order to make identification easier for possible contact persons, the authorities stated that the woman is an American who lives and works in Garmisch-Partenkirchen.
Because not all contact persons have been traced so far, the health authority is asking those who were in local bars to report to the of the health department hotline (08821/ 751-500) and have themselves tested.
So far 24 people have tested positive in the hotel in which the woman works.
In total, the number of new infections by Saturday was 37, with a seven-day incidence of 54 and thus above the critical mark of 50 new infections per 100,000 inhabitants in seven days.
"From a medical point of view, a further significant increase in the number of infections in the district is to be expected", the District Administrator's Office announced and imposed restrictions on public life in the market town of around 26,000 inhabitants on Friday. "We want to shut down the nightlife that was the trigger".
All restaurants there must now close at 10 p.m. Only a maximum of five people are allowed to meet together in public, something which also applies to all restaurants.
For private events, the number of participants is limited to a maximum of 50 people in closed rooms or up to 100 people outside.
READ ALSO: Why has Bavaria been so hard hit by the pandemic?
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Local authorities said they were still unsure what consequence the woman should face.
"This must be investigated," said city spokesman Stephan Scharf on Sunday.
Authorities believe that the outbreak was started by one so-called superspreader, a 26-year-old American woman who visited several pubs in the town at the foot of the Alps and infected several people in the process, according to news wire DPA.
According to local authorities, she already had symptoms on her pub crawl and was waiting for the results of her corona test. In Bavaria, a fine of €2,000 can be imposed for violations of quarantine regulations.
"The lady had symptoms, came to the test station and was told to stay in quarantine because of the symptoms. But she did not do so," says Scharf. The 26-year-old had just returned from a vacation in Greece.
Whether she caught the disease during the trip or afterwards in Garmisch-Partenkirchen is unclear. "We don't know where she caught it," Scharf said.
"There are often cases where people don't wait for the test result," says Scharf. "And nationality doesn't really matter. But we wanted as many people as possible to come forward who remember having had contact with the woman in a pub in the last few days."
In order to make identification easier for possible contact persons, the authorities stated that the woman is an American who lives and works in Garmisch-Partenkirchen.
Because not all contact persons have been traced so far, the health authority is asking those who were in local bars to report to the of the health department hotline (08821/ 751-500) and have themselves tested.
So far 24 people have tested positive in the hotel in which the woman works.
In total, the number of new infections by Saturday was 37, with a seven-day incidence of 54 and thus above the critical mark of 50 new infections per 100,000 inhabitants in seven days.
"From a medical point of view, a further significant increase in the number of infections in the district is to be expected", the District Administrator's Office announced and imposed restrictions on public life in the market town of around 26,000 inhabitants on Friday. "We want to shut down the nightlife that was the trigger".
All restaurants there must now close at 10 p.m. Only a maximum of five people are allowed to meet together in public, something which also applies to all restaurants.
For private events, the number of participants is limited to a maximum of 50 people in closed rooms or up to 100 people outside.
READ ALSO: Why has Bavaria been so hard hit by the pandemic?
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