Tulsa has been a surge of coronavirus cases two weeks after President Donald Trump‘s June 2 rally in an indoor arena, which had 6,200 attendees far short of expectations.
Tulsa reported a new daily record of 261 confirmed new cases on Monday, and another 206 cases on Tuesday. Two weeks before the MAGA rally, there were only 76 reported cases on Monday and 96 on Tuesday.
Health experts do not confirm what exactly became a source of infection increase but Tulsa City-County Health Department Director Dr. Bruce Dart said Wednesday that Trump rally together with anti-racism protests have “likely contributed” to the outbreak.
“In the past few days, we’ve seen almost 500 new cases, and we had several large events just over two weeks ago, so I guess we just connect the dots,” Dart said.
According to the WHO, the incubation period for coronavirus is estimated to be from three to 14 days, with symptoms typically appearing “within four or five days after exposure,” according to Harvard Medical School.
Dart had previously told Tulsa World about his concern over the rally and a possible threat of an increase of coronavirus cases.
“I’m concerned about our ability to protect anyone who attends a large, indoor event, and I’m also concerned about our ability to ensure the president stays safe as well,” Dr. Bruce Dart told the newspaper.
Trump campaign spokesman Tim Murtaugh told CNN the campaign ensured the safety of rally attendees and blamed the infection outbreak on the anti-racism protests.
“There were literally no health precautions to speak of as thousands looted, rioted and protested in the streets and the media reported that it did not lead to a rise in coronavirus cases,” Murtaugh said in a statement. “Meanwhile, the President’s rally was 18 days ago, all attendees had their temperature checked, everyone was provided a mask, and there was plenty of hand sanitizer available for all. It’s obvious that the media’s concern about large gatherings begins and ends with Trump rallies.”
While the masks were provided to the attendees, the campaign also made it clear it was rally-goers’ responsibility to protect themselves, as the campaign published a disclaimer on the ticket website, stating Trump and the campaign won’t be held liable in case of coronavirus contraction at an event.
A reporter who attended the Trump rally was tested positive for coronavirus, along with six Trump’s campaign staffers present at the rally.
