The Sturgis, South Dakota ‘Super-Spreader’ COVID Event: an Estimated 266,000 Cases

A first study of the 10-day motorcycle extravaganza at Sturgis, South Dakota, that attracted about 460,000 participants, estimates that it is responsible for approximately 266,000 new cases of COVID-19, as of 17 days after the close. The Center for Health Economics & Policy Studies at San Diego State University examined both the increase in the particular county of Sturgis (Meade County) but also the variances in the coronavirus outbreak between the counties around the country where attendees came from and returned to, compared to counties that had no attendees. A strong statistical case showed that the counties with the highest attendance had a 10.7% increase in cases, and counties that had any attendance, a 7.0-12.5% increase — both relative to counties without attendees. The study included cases up through Sept. 2.