COVID-19 Outbreak At Cecil County Fair: Health Officials

CECIL COUNTY, MD — An outbreak of COVID-19 cases associated with the Cecil County Fair is under investigation, according to the Cecil County Health Department.

Fair attendees should monitor themselves for symptoms, officials said.

The Cecil County Fair ran from July 23 to July 31 at Fair Hill Fairgrounds in Elkton.

Three people at the fair tested positive for coronavirus, county health officials told WDEL.

Gov. Larry Hogan, who visited the fair on Tuesday, July 27, has not had any symptoms, according to WJZ.

The governor had not been in close contact with any of those infected and was not tested, his spokesperson told The Baltimore Sun.

I had a great time visiting with 4-H’ers, exhibitors, and local farmers at this year’s Cecil County Fair. pic.twitter.com/IJ3WyKHRlf
— Governor Larry Hogan (@GovLarryHogan) July 28, 2021

This morning I thanked Maryland farmers at the Cecil County Fair Ag Showcase for their hard work and resilience during the COVID-19 pandemic. Our administration remains committed to ensuring that Maryland families can continue to run profitable, sustainable farms. pic.twitter.com/dk6ceYxWze
— Governor Larry Hogan (@GovLarryHogan) July 27, 2021

After announcing what it termed an "outbreak of COVID-19 cases associated with the Cecil County Fair," the Cecil County Health Department advised: "Given the increasing cases of COVID-19 in Cecil County, the Health Department strongly encourages the use of face coverings in indoor settings, regardless of vaccination status."

As of Tuesday, the coronavirus positivity rate in Cecil County is nearly double the state average.

Cecil County has a coronavirus positivity rate of 6.09 percent, state health officials said Tuesday, Aug. 3, while the positivity rate across Maryland is 3.38 percent.

Cecil County has confirmed 6,534 cases of the coronavirus since the pandemic began, according to state health data as of Tuesday, Aug. 3.

Nearly 42 percent of those eligible have been fully vaccinated in Cecil County as of Tuesday, state health data shows. Statewide, a little more than 59 percent of those eligible have been fully vaccinated.

"Now is the time to get vaccinated," Cecil County health officials said. "If you haven’t already, get your second shot of Pfizer or Moderna. The second shot is critical to achieving the level of protection necessary to prevent severe illness."

These are common symptoms of the virus, according to authorities:

• Fever/chills
• Cough
• Shortness of breath/difficulty breathing
• Fatigue
• Muscle/body aches
• Headache
• New loss of sense of smell or taste
• Sore throat
• Congestion/runny nose
• Diarrhea
• Nausea/vomiting

Cecil County is offering free at-home test kits for COVID-19.

To get a test kit, fill out the online form here or call the county's COVID-19 call center at 410-996-1005 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays.