Health officials investigate 21 outbreaks at Alpine Dance Academy in Frisco

According to the news release, the Summit County Public Health Department is investigating an outbreak of 21 cases of the new coronavirus at Alpine Dance Academy in Frisco.

Of the 21 cases, 16 are among employees and students at the dance academy and five are among family members of students. The outbreak is also affecting local public schools, with multiple groups of a total of 142 students placed in Summit’s middle and high schools.

Health officials say the outbreak was caused by students’ failure to adhere to guidelines aimed at preventing the spread of the virus, including attending class while they are ill.

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“This is a clear example of how quickly the virus can spread in our community if basic mitigation measures are not followed,” Amy Wineland, director of public health, said in the release. ‘In this case, Alpine Dance Academy has introduced low security measures to protect their students; however, if students intentionally go on sick leave, they pose a risk to the health of their peers, family, and instructors. ”

Officials say the dance academy had adequate preventative measures in place – including wearing masks, physical distance, symptom control, cleaning and disinfection – but some students did not report their symptoms during class attendance.

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“We are very disappointed in our students that they came to dance while they were symptomatic and that they were not frank with public health officials,” Kelly Monahon, owner of Alpine Dance Academy, said in the release. “It delayed a quarantine that could protect a number of our dancers, staff and their family members.”

Official health officials stressed that anyone with symptoms – however mild – should be tested and their contact with others should be eliminated until the test results are received. Free tests are available daily throughout the country. Find information about times and places at SummitCountyCo.gov/testing.