CDC investigates after dozens test positive for COVID following CDC conference

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is investigating about three dozen COVID-19 cases linked to its own annual Epidemic Intelligence Service Conference.

"CDC is working with the Georgia Department of Health to conduct a rapid epidemiological assessment of confirmed COVID-19 cases that appear to be connected to the 2023 EIS Conference to determine transmission patterns," agency spokesperson Kristen Nordlund said, The Washington Post reported Tuesday.

About 35 people have so far tested positive,  after the conference in Atlanta last week, which was the first in-person Epidemic Intelligence Service meeting in four years, officials said.

The CDC is reporting the cases to Georgia health officials.

"Conducting a rapid investigation now will help understand transmission that occurred and assist in refining future public health guidance as we move out of the public health emergency and to the next phase of COVID-19 surveillance and response," Norland also said. "Whenever there are large gatherings, especially indoors, such as at a conference, there is the possibility of COVID-19 spread, even in periods of low community spread."

Attendees told the Post that many people at the conference did not wear masks or practice social distancing.

The new outbreak comes as CDC-confirmed COVID cases are at their lowest levels in nearly two years, but many Americans are testing at home or not testing at all. 

Madeleine Hubbard is an international correspondent for Just the News. Follow her on Twitter or Instagram.