Officials Are Asking Everyone Who Went To Latin Dance Events In Montreal To Go Get Tested

Montreal's public health officials are asking everyone who has attended an indoor or outdoor Latin dance event in the region to go get tested for COVID-19. Three confirmed cases in Montreal have been connected to these dance events in the past few weeks. Two people who were contagious attended dance events on August 14 on rue Sainte-Catherine and August 15 at Parc Frédéric-Back. 

Events organized in Parc La Fontaine and Verdun "could also be linked to this outbreak," according to a statement.

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"The call to get tested is even more important for people with symptoms consistent with COVID-19, such as fever, cough, difficulty breathing, loss of sense of smell, sore throat, headaches, muscle pain," said Dr. Mylène Drouin.  

"Testing clinics in Montréal have been notified and are ready to test people who participated in those events."

It's estimated that some COVID-positive individuals also attended indoor dance events. 

Public health officials remind the public that all indoor dance events are still prohibited in Montreal "since this type of activity presents a high risk of spreading COVID-19."

If you're planning to attend an outdoor event in the future, Montreal public health officials recommend that you take some precautions before potentially exposing yourself and others to the virus.

These include:

• skipping the event if you have symptoms or have been in contact with an infected person;

• wearing a mask or face-covering if the two-metre distance rule isn't respected;

• sticking to a single dance partner (ideally someone from your own household);

• washing your hands regularly before, during, and after the event; and

• not singing or shouting at the event.

The regional public health authority says "it is very important to have everyone's collaboration in informing contacts who must be placed in isolation in order to block the transmission of the virus. This reduces the risk of a second wave and protects the health of the population."

Quebec first outlined its plan for a potential second wave of COVID-19 on August 18.

Many experts, including Dr. Horacio Arruda, are convinced that a second wave is imminent and that people shouldn't be led to believe that the pandemic is over. 

As of August 23, Quebec has reported a total of 61,741 confirmed cases.

This article's cover image is used for illustrative purposes only.