STURGIS, S.D.—Bikers who congregated maskless and disregarding social-distancing at the annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally seem again to have caught and spread the Covid virus. Sixty-three cases have bene diagnosed so far in five states, according to tracking surveys. Another 115 cases of the super-contagious virus have been linked to the rally. Health experts say the fallout from the rally won’t be seen for weeks and an exact case count will likely remain unknown. The county where Sturgis is located is reaching a per capita rate that’s similar to Southern states, where the virus has overwhelmed hospitals and created a health crisis.
Databank
How many attended: One measure is the State Transportation Department vehicle count: 359,000. Record was 750,000 at event’s 75th anniversay in 2015.
Rally hero: Governor Kristi Noem, who has never seen Covid as a serious threat, paraded horseback down Main Stret with a giant American flag.
Dates: August 6-15.
Noem. They cheered her in Sturgis.
