‘Grateful Spread.’ COVID outbreaks follow California concerts, tribute band says
Multiple band members and concert goers have tested positive for COVID-19 after attending music shows in California the weekend of July 17.
Nearly all band and crew members from the Grateful Dead tribute band Grateful Shred tested positive for the virus after playing two shows in Santa Cruz County on July 17 and July 18, the Los Angeles-based band shared on Instagram July 25.
One social media user called the event “Grateful Spread.”
The two music venues included Felton Music Hall and Roaring Camp. Both are in Felton, California, a small town 15 minutes northwest of Santa Cruz.
It’s unclear how many Grateful Shred band and crew members received positive tests or were vaccinated. Felton Music Hall informed the Santa Cruz County health agency of the outbreak.
The county confirmed six cases related to the event, according to Santa Cruz County Communications Manager Jason Hoppin.
But Hoppin said he expects that number to go up.
“The show was 10 days ago and not all patrons were county residents 一 it’s just impossible to track them all down,” Hoppin told McClatchy News.
There were 291 people at the show, he said.
“Apparently the vaccine does not prevent transmission. But fortunately, it does seem to really help with reducing sickness and preventing hospitalization,” Grateful Shred said on Instagram.
The band did not immediately respond to a request for more information.
However, two fully vaccinated musicians from another group tested positive for the virus after playing at the same venue on July 21, according to a Facebook post by Alex Jordan from Casual Coalition.
“We’ve been told that it is most likely to have been spread from unvaccinated persons who attended a show a few days earlier,” Jordan wrote.
It’s not uncommon for vaccinated people to become infected with the virus. Breakthrough cases are expected, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. But the agency said the number of breakthrough cases is small.
The CDC updated its mask guidance on Tuesday to recommend that even vaccinated people wear masks indoors in public spaces where cases are surging.
In addition to band members, Felton Music Hall confirmed multiple COVID cases from concert goers and one staff member after the July 18 show. It temporarily shut down and is requiring negative PCR tests from all staff.
“What started as one person feeling symptoms has turned into a couple of confirmed cases. We encourage anyone that attended that show to go and get tested,” the business wrote on Facebook July 26.
After last week’s outbreak of cases, masks are now mandated inside the building for all staff and concert goers.
Roaring Camp is an outdoor space where Felton Music Hall hosts events that are “socially distanced pod shows.”
Both bands and Felton Music Hall urged recent attendees to get tested for the virus. They also encouraged mask wearing and vaccinations.
“Let me be clear, if you are not vaccinated, wear a mask. If you won’t wear a mask, don’t come to my shows,” Jordan said.
Santa Cruz County will also continue investigating the outbreak at Felton Music Hall.
“We urge everyone to not only get vaccinated, but wear a mask in public, indoor gatherings,” Hoppin said. “While this has become a pandemic of the unvaccinated, we have enough evidence that breakthrough cases can be infectious, though symptoms are typically mild.”
This story was originally published July 29, 2021 at 2:41 PM.
