Columbus health officials say protester with the coronavirus attended George Floyd demonstrations

Columbus protest

Protesters demonstrate at the corner of Broad and High streets in Columbus on Saturday. (Jeremy Pelzer, cleveland.com)

COLUMBUS, Ohio - A protester sick with the coronavirus attended Columbus demonstrations over George Floyd’s death, which is prompting concerns that the highly infectious illness has spread to others.

“We haven’t been able to get the exact days from the individual but they were there some time this week, Sunday through probably Tuesday," said Dr. Mysheika Roberts, the Columbus health commissioner.

The person’s COVID-19 test results came back earlier this week. The person never told public health officials who began contact tracing that they had attended the protests, Roberts said.

“We found out from their contacts the case had not been isolating and had been going to the protests," she said.

Roberts then issued a written document requiring the person to remain isolated for the next 72 hours.

After that order runs out, city attorneys would have to go to court to extend it. Roberts, a physician, said she didn’t know whether she will request that. It depends on whether the person is still symptomatic and her confidence in them isolating on their own without an order, she said.

Since thousands of people marched together for hours-- not all spread six feet apart or wearing masks -- Columbus Public Health is asking people at the protests to monitor their symptoms and obtain a free COVID-19 test if they become sick.

State rules relaxed last week to now allow everyone presenting COVID-19 symptoms to get a test. Cleveland.com is expected to discuss the issue later today with a city health commissioner.

Public health officials have been concerned about a spike in cases after the protests, and have warned that possible deaths stemming from infections originating at protests would show up in late June or early July.

Roberts said that people need to be mindful when they protest that the pandemic is still spreading. People need to be considerate and wear a mask, in case they are asymptomatic. Face coverings can trap droplets and prevent virus transmission.

Other coverage:

New state criteria for coronavirus tests could include a broad group of Ohioans

Public health experts fear protests will spike coronavirus cases

Gov. Mike DeWine canceling Thursday’s coronavirus briefing

2,299 Ohioans have died with coronavirus: Wednesday update

U.S. Rep. Joyce Beatty, other politicians pepper-sprayed by Columbus police during protest

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