The Summit County Department of Public Health is investigating an outbreak of 21 cases of the new coronavirus at the Alpine Dance Academy in Frisco, according to a press release.
Of the 21 cases, 16 are among employees and students of the dance academy and five among family members of students, according to the note. The outbreak is also affecting local public schools, with several cohorts totaling 142 students quarantined at Summit high schools.
Health officials say the outbreak was caused by students’ failure to follow guidelines aimed at preventing the spread of the virus, including attending classes while they were sick.
“This is a clear example of how the virus can spread quickly in our community if basic mitigation measures are not followed,” said Director of Public Health Amy Wineland in the statement. “In that case, Alpine Dance Academy has implemented layered security measures to protect its students; however, if students consciously and repeatedly go to practice while they are ill, they pose a health risk to their colleagues, family members and instructors. “
County officials say the dance academy has sufficient preventive measures – including mask use, physical distance, symptom checking, cleaning and disinfection – but some students did not report their symptoms during classes.
“We are extremely disappointed in our students for coming to dance while they are symptomatic and not being frank with public health officials about it,” said Alpine Dance Academy owner Kelly Monahon in the statement. “This delayed a quarantine that could have protected several of our dancers, employees and their families.”
County health officials emphasized that anyone with symptoms – no matter how mild – should be tested and eliminate contact with others until test results are received. The free trial is available daily throughout the county. Find information about times and locations at SummitCountyCo.gov/testing.
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