http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/world/covid-19-uk-15-virus-cases-events-attended-by-60-000-14860544
UK sees just 15 COVID-19 cases from events attended by 60,000
Leicester fans were able to support their side live for the first time
in 14 months
Leicester fans were able to support their side live for the first time
in 14 months AFP/MATTHEW CHILDS
22 May 2021 03:12AM (Updated: 23 May 2021 07:21PM)
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LONDON: Only 15 people out of almost 60,000 who attended nine pilot
events for mass gatherings have since tested positive for coronavirus,
British health officials said Friday (May 21).
The government allowed limited crowds at the events - including two FA
Cup games, the World Snooker Championship and the Brit Awards - over
recent weeks to assess their impact on COVID-19 transmission.
The country has since March been gradually easing its strict lockdown,
with 22,000 football fans permitted inside Wembley Stadium last weekend
for the FA Cup final.
Officials are now working to trace just 15 people to have tested
positive following the nine official test events, with that level of
infection in line with case numbers for the broader population.
"The aim of our world-leading events research programme is to examine
the risk of COVID-19 transmission at large events and explore how crowds
can be welcomed back in bigger numbers safely," a government spokesman said.
"The pilots have been designed in a scientifically controlled way to
reduce the risk of transmission for attendees.
"We are working closely with NHS Test and Trace to ensure everyone can
be traced following a positive test," the spokesman added, referring to
Britain's state-run National Health Service.
The United Kingdom has been one of the hardest-hit countries in Europe
by the pandemic, but has been able to ease lockdown measures in part
thanks to a highly successful vaccination campaign.
The government is hoping to lift remaining restrictions on Jun 21, but
doubts have emerged after numerous spikes in the Indian variant of the
virus across the country.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson is expected to make an announcement on the
next stage of the relaxations next week.