Spring Breakers Returning from Cabo San Lucas Test Positive For Coronavirus

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Austin Public Health officials say more than 28 young adults who returned to Austin from a spring break trip to Cabo San Lucas have tested positive for the coronavirus, and dozens more are being monitored.

Officials said Tuesday a group of about 70 people in their 20s departed on a chartered plane about a week and a half ago. Some of the attendees flew back on commercial flights. Four of those who tested positive showed no symptoms.

“Austin Public Health and UT Health Austin and University Health Services have made contact with every spring breaker onboard the plane using flight manifests from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The 28 confirmed cases are self-isolating at this time. Others are under quarantine while being monitored and tested. The Department of State Health Services has been notified,” Austin Public Health said

Local health officials said Mexico was not under a federal travel advisory at the time of their travel, but again urged Austin and Travis County residents to avoid all non-essential travel.

Interim Health Authority Dr. Mark Escott said COVID-19 hides in the healthy, from whom it is transmitted to vulnerable people, more susceptible to deadly complications. However, there is still a risk for young, healthy people too.

“While younger people have less risk for complications, they are not immune from severe illness and death from COVID-19,” Escott said.

Nearly half of those who have tested positive for COVID-19 are between 20 and 40 years old, city and county records show.

Health officials said it was “dangerously misguided” for young and healthy people to think they won’t experience severe symptoms of COVID-19.

The Los Cabos Tourism Trust has answered the following:

Regarding the information that is circulating about a group of spring-breakers who vacationed in Los Cabos and tested positive for COVID-19, we would like to point out that the young people left the resort on March 11, 2020. Therefore, 20 days after their return to Austin, Texas, the incubation period established by the World Health Organization (WHO) has already been exceeded.

On the other hand, we have confirmed that none of the staff, who work at the resort where the young people stayed, have presented any symptoms related to COVID-19. In this way, we reiterate our commitment to ensure the general wellness and we will monitor the situation in particular.

Source: elpasotimes.com, californiahoyusa.com

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