County confirms BLM protest attendee tests positive for COVID

Metro Wire Staff

One person who attended Sunday’s Black Lives Matter protest in Stevens Point has tested positive for COVID-19.

Portage Co. Health Officer Gary Garske said late Tuesday afternoon that a person who tested positive for the coronavirus was associated with the rally on June 7. The confirmation was made at about 5:30 p.m. Tuesday night, shortly after a county-hosted media briefing with local media on COVID-19 concluded.

The positive case was not mentioned by county officials during the briefing, even when asked if they have any special concerns about such a large gathering during the pandemic. The news was announced on social media by the organizer of the Black Lives Matter protest.

“My understanding is that we learned of a new confirmed positive case that was associated with a rally,” Garske said Tuesday afternoon. “I really do not know which one. The organizer was contacted and apparently has placed something out on their site Facebook page to inform participants. That is all that I know.”

The county is holding another free COVID-19 mass-testing event at Portage Co. Health and Human Service, 817 Whiting Ave., beginning at 10 a.m. on June 10. Anyone who attended Sunday’s protest is urged to get tested.

More as we have it.