After Obama’s No-Mask Birthday Party... COVID-19 Cases Show Increasing Trend

Former U.S. President Barack Obama. [Image source=AP Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kwon Seo-young] Local health authorities have stated that it is too early to draw conclusions regarding the COVID-19 infections that occurred following former U.S. President Barack Obama's birthday party.

On the 13th (local time), major foreign media reported that dozens of COVID-19 cases emerged from former President Obama's birthday party held on the 7th on Martha's Vineyard Island, Massachusetts, USA. According to Massachusetts state data, Martha's Vineyard reported 28 cases on the 9th, 2 on the 10th, 8 on the 11th, 1 on the 12th, and 19 on the 13th, totaling 58 COVID-19 patients. This number is an increase compared to the previous maximum daily cases of 7 during the month before Obama's birthday party.

Initially, the party was expected to be scaled down due to concerns about the spread of the Delta variant, with only close family and acquaintances attending. However, the actual size of the party was much larger. Local media outlet The New York Post reported that on the 9th, Obama's birthday, "Contrary to claims that only family and close friends were invited, hundreds gathered for a grand party," and "Around 1 a.m. the next day, attendees left all at once, causing traffic jams across the roads."

It was revealed that celebrities from across the United States attended the party to celebrate former President Obama's birthday. Appearances by actor George Clooney, singer Beyonc?, and film director and producer Steven Spielberg were spotted. The Daily Mail reported that event staff estimated the number of attendees to be around 300 to 400.

The Daily Mail also reported, "Many attendees arrived by private jet and stayed at hotels on the island," adding, "Subsequently, six hotel employees tested positive for COVID-19." However, local health authorities stated that they have not confirmed any cases linked to the birthday party among the COVID-19 patients. The health authorities said, "We are comprehensively tracing those who had contact with confirmed cases," and withheld judgment on the connection between the party and the increase in COVID-19 infections.

Meanwhile, 'no mask' photos from Obama's birthday party leaked on various social media platforms, sparking controversy. The photos showed attendees holding microphones and dancing or eating various foods without masks. Currently, all such photos have been deleted in accordance with the event's photo ban policy.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.