#Cleveland records 11 new COVID-19 cases after debate

Cleveland officials are racing to contain a minor COVID-19 outbreak after 11 people in the city tested positive following the presidential debate on Tuesday.

The infections have so been traced to pre-debate setup crews, with the majority coming from out of state residents.

“Any individuals who tested positive as part of the debate were contacted, interviewed when possible, issued isolation orders and provided guidance regarding their isolation period,” the city said in a statement Friday. “There were also conversations with individuals who tested positive regarding their upcoming travel.”

The Cleveland Clinic, which co-hosted the debate, also released a statement assuring that none of the infected 11 had ever accessed the inside of the debate hall.

Anyone entering the hall was required to test negative for the virus, but both Trump and Biden had been placed on an honor system, with their respective campaigns responsible for testing, according to moderator Chris Wallace.

President Trump announced that he and First Lady Melania Trump were positive for the deadly virus in tweet early Friday morning. After recording a video telling the country he was feeling fine, Trump was taken to Walter Reed medical center “out of an abundance of caution” that same day.

“Going welI, I think! Thank you to all. LOVE!!!,” he tweeted late Friday evening.