An Idaho skiing haven has reported the highest infection rate in the US after a coronavirus outbreak ravaged a group of skiers, leaving two dead, eight hospitalized and more than 120 sick.
Nathaniel Jackson, of Pasadena, California, and Charles Jackson, of Los Angeles, died after contracting the deadly disease after attending the annual Black Summit of the National Brotherhood of Skiers in Sun Valley, Idaho over the March 6 weekend.
Out of the nearly 700 members who attended the festivities, more than 120 developed COVID-19 symptoms, 20 tested positive for the deadly virus, with eight needing hospitalization and three landing in the ICU, according to the New Yorker.
The outbreak in the upscale ski destination of Blaine County has transformed the idyllic area into a danger zone, reporting the highest infection rate in the country, including epicenter New York City.
An Idaho skiing haven has the highest infection rate in the US after a coronavirus outbreak ravaged a group of skiers, with two dead, eight hospitalized and more than 120 sick. Nathaniel Jackson, of Pasadena, California, and Charles Jackson (pictured), of Los Angeles, died after contracting the deadly disease after attending the annual Black Summit of the National Brotherhood of Skiers in Sun Valley, Idaho over the March 6 weekend
Out of the nearly 700 members who attended the festivities, more than 120 developed COVID-19 symptoms, 20 tested positive for the deadly virus, with eight needing hospitalization and three landing in the ICU, according to the New Yorker. Pictured: NBS members on the trip
The outbreak in the upscale ski destination of Blaine County has transformed the idyllic area into a danger zone, having the highest infection rate in the country, including epicenter New York City
While New York City has the most cases in the United States, with 113,704 people testing positive and 3,565 dead, the city is home to 8.6 million people.
In comparison, Blaine County has just 22,000 residents and has nearly 400 confirmed cases as of Friday morning – with 16.6 cases per thousand people, according to the Idaho Mountain Express.
The county’s cases per population means its rate is 2.5 times the rate of New York City.
The New Yorker put the small county in league with northern Italy and Wuhan as pandemic epicenters, noting the area’s average age that falls between 46 and 60.
The National Brotherhood of Skiers gathered in Sun Valley for its 47th annual trip, bringing members across the US and the world.
In the days after the event, several members began posting about feeling sick.
Family members of Charles Jackson began posting on Facebook about his condition, with his son revealing his father tested positive for the virus on March 21.
Family members of Charles Jackson (pictured) began posting on Facebook about his condition, with his son Nick revealing his father tested positive for the virus on March 21
He added: ‘This is how and where my dad contracted the COVID-19. And he doesn’t even ski anymore cause of his back. He just loved to travel, be with his friends and was always helping others. From picking up and dropping off the skiers/snowboarders up and down the mountain. He is that kind of person.
‘Making others happy first then worrying about himself later. Social distancing is very important. Here he is coming back from a fun time in Idaho on vacation, he told me all about it. Then got sick all of a sudden and now look. Smh man. Can’t take life for granted.’
By March 30, Jackson’s test came back negative for coronavirus – showing he beat the virus but the next day, he died after suffering complications brought on by the disease.
Other attendees, including DJ Jerald Barnes shared videos of the event on Facebook on March 9. By March 22, the artist revealed he was severely ill
He wrote: ‘I have no update on what I have. All I know is it hurts and is very uncomfortable. You don’t want to play with this so please be safe.’ He later updated his followers, saying his fever broke and he stepped outside for the first time in three weeks’, warning others to be careful.
Other attendees, including DJ Jerald Barnes shared videos of the event on Facebook on March 9. By March 22, the artist revealed he was severely ill.
He wrote: ‘I have no update on what I have. All I know is it hurts and is very uncomfortable. You don’t want to play with this so please be safe.’
He later updated his followers, saying his fever broke and he stepped outside for the first time in three weeks’, warning others to be careful.
Another DJ, Jazzy Jeff, also revealed he was battling pneumonia in both of his lungs and had lost his sense of smell and taste.
‘Please take this serious,’ he wrote. ‘It does not care who you are … what you do or what your plans are. Stay safe.’
Sun Valley closed its mountains on March 15 – nearly two weeks after the NBS’ annual ski event.
While New York City has the most cases in the United States, with 113,704 people testing positive and 3,565 dead, the city is home to 8.6 million people
Five days later local news outlet The Idaho Express ran an article alleging the association’s dance party could have been the source of the outbreak, assuming the club was responsible for bringing the virus to the county.
Henri Rivers, the NBS President, told the New Yorker: ‘I was livid. They implied that we tried to harm the town.’
This prompted Mayor of Ketchum, a neighboring town where NBS members stayed, to say: ‘If we’re going to point the finger at anyone, point it at me, for not closing this town down earlier.
‘We believe that the virus came in from Seattle, probably a couple of weeks earlier. They probably got the virus from many people here, and for that I feel terrible.’
Sun Valley draws skiers and outdoor enthusiasts from around the world.
It’s also known as a celebrity getaway, thanks in part to its history of famous second homeowners and vacation regulars including Ernest Hemingway, Bruce Willis and Demi Moore, Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson, Arnold Schwarzenegger and others.
During ski season, roughly 30,000 people land at the county airport.