No sign of infection at test concert in Spain
Photo Credit: Albert Gea/ Reuters
No sign of infection at test concert in Spain
Words: Dylan Murphy
Following a test event that hosted around 5,000 people in Barcelona, Spain, researchers welcomed the positive findings.
Last month, around 5,000 music fans descended upon Barcelona’s Palau Sant Jordi to take part in a test concert. Spanish band Love of Lesbian performed to fans who had taken tests prior to the gig and wore masks throughout.
The researchers involved in the experiment found “no sign” of higher levels of infection among people who took part in the experiment in March.
The concert-goers did not have to socially distance and of the six who tested positive within fourteen days of the event, the researchers concluded that four of the six people who tested positive within fourteen days of the event were infected elsewhere and not at the event itself. The incidence was lower than that seen in the general population in Barcelona.
Additionally, people with heart disease, cancer, or those who have been in contact with someone infected by Covid-19 in recent weeks were asked not to sign up.
Infectious disease specialist Josep Maria Llibre spoke at a news conference today and said, “There is no sign that suggests transmission took place during the event”.
It’s a promising development as Europe grapples with high rates of infections and no clear road map for the return of widespread festivals and concerts. It comes after the Netherlands hosted a similar event in March with around 1,500 people.
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