Huge pool party that ignited global fears about COVID outbreak has not resulted in spike in cases

A party at the Lake of the Ozarks in central Missouri, one that made international headlines a week ago due to photos showing a densely packed pool filled with carefree partygoers apparently unconcerned about COVID-19, has yet to result in a breakout of the virus, according to the state's top health official. 

Photographs of the event – in which attendees appeared to flout essentially every "social distancing" rule promulgated by health authorities over the last several months – were circulated around the globe, with international newspapers such as the Guardian reporting that the pool-partiers "apparently forgot that Covid-19 existed." 

St. Louis County officials were so alarmed by the party that they issued a travel advisory over it, saying the event was "an international example of bad judgment."

Yet concerns over the party's possibly starting a COVID-19 outbreak appear to have been largely unfounded.

One individual at that party allegedly tested positive for the disease after attending it. Asked on Monday at a press conference whether there "have been any other cases of COVID-19 connected to the Lake of the Ozark case of the individual who tested positive," Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services Director Randall Williams said, "not that I'm aware of." 

The party happened over Memorial Day weekend, May 23-24. The CDC says COVID-19 symptoms can appear 2-14 days after being infected by the virus. 

Though Williams indicated on Monday that the party did not result in an outbreak of coronavirus, the event was still being touted as a scandal several days later.

On Thursday, Connecticut Rep. Rosa DeLauro – brandishing a photograph of the event – said in a House Appropriations subcommittee hearing that the site of the large crowd of partygoers was "unbelievable."

"Look at this. Look at these folks," she said, waving the picture.