Coronavirus: Trump rally-goers urged to get tested after packed North Carolina rally

‘Large gatherings increase the risk of spreading Covid-19’, say officials

Authorities in North Carolina want some 5,000 supporters of Donald Trump to seek  coronavirus tests following his latest campaign rally in Fayetteville.  

An estimated 5,600 people attended the US president’s rally on Saturday despite the current pandemic, which has seen almost seven million Americans contract the virus and over 200,000 killed.

Two-thirds of his supporters were reported to have not worn masks, whilst attendees were unable to social distance.

In a statement to the Fayetteville Observer, North Carolina’s Department of Health and Human Services said on Monday that large campaign rallies carried public health risks, as local authorities recommended attendees test themselves.

Kelly Haight Connor, a health department spokeswoman, said “While activities constituting the exercise of First Amendment rights are exempt from the requirements of the Governor’s Executive Orders, large gatherings increase the risk of spreading Covid-19”.

Praising those who wore masks on Saturday, Cumberland County's public health director, warned that there was “accelerated” community spread in the area.

Whilst the impact of the Trump campaign rally on Cumberland County will not be seen until a week’s time, Jennifer Green welcomed those who wanted to seek-out coronavirus tests.

She also told the Observer that testing is available for anyone who has attended protests, rallies or other mass gatherings where social distancing was not possible.

“We encourage anyone (who has) tested positive after attending the rally to communicate this with our contact tracing team,“ said Ms Green in a statement.

“This will help us to identify any spike in cases as a result of the rally.”

It comes more than two months after health officials in Oklahoma said a Trump campaign rally - and his first after the coronavirus hit the United States - had “likely contributed” to an increase in infections in the state.