New York Sweet 16 party dubbed COVID-19 ‘super-spreader’ as 37 test positive

A Sweet 16 party in New York has been labeled a “super-spreader” by officials after 37 people tested positive for COVID-19 after attending the event.

The party, held at the Miller Place Inn in Suffolk County on Sept. 25, violated the state’s indoor gathering limit of 50 people, with 49 students and 32 adults attending the festivities. Of those 81 attendees, 29 have tested positive for the coronavirus. Additionally, seven household contacts and one person close to a partygoer were infected, officials said.

“This was an egregious violation and should serve as a stark reminder of the consequences that exist for flouting COVID-19 protocols,” said Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone in statement released by the county. “These rules and regulations exist for a reason — to keep New Yorkers safe — and we all have an obligation to act responsibly.”

The party venue has been fined $12,000 as a result of the violations — a $10,000 penalty for not adhering to New York executive orders regarding COVID-19 restrictions and an additional $2,000 for violating the Suffolk County sanitary code. Miller Place was charged with operating a food establishment in an unsanitary condition.

Following the positive tests, 334 people associated with the event were required to quarantine, with 270 people still under active quarantine.