Allegheny County Health Department Director Criticizes Plum Parents Who Held Non-Sponsored Homecoming Dance
By: KDKA-TV News Staff
PLUM, Pa. (KDKA) - Allegheny County Health Department Director Dr. Debra Bogen says she's upset about the "level of disregard" for public health shown by Plum parents who held a non-sanctioned school dance already linked to coronavirus infections.
In a letter earlier this week, the Plum Borough School District said at least one high school student tested positive for coronavirus after attending the "Class of 2020 Senior Parent Committee's Homecoming Dance" hosted by parents on Saturday at Five Pines Barn in Westmoreland County.
On Wednesday, Dr. Debra Bogen says there have been confirmed cases from the event, and many more people have been asked to quarantine.
"In some cases, the spread of the virus is the result of willful disregard for the state public health measures," Dr. Debra Bogen said. As an example, she pointed to the non-sponsored Plum homecoming dance.
According to the district, all students and parents who attended the dance were asked to quarantine. Earlier this week, school nurses were trying to contact more than 150 families of students who attended, as well as students at the dance from other schools.
The Plum Borough School District said Wednesday that just before 1 p.m., they were able to get a complete list of who attended and immediately started contact tracing. The high school is closing and moving to remote learning until Dec. 1. All activities at the high school are also postponed.
"This level of disregard of public health of our community frankly makes me quite angry and is disheartening and truly disappointing," Dr. Bogen said.