Family gatherings, house parties account for 67% of virus transmission in Prince George's

PRINCE GEORGES COUNTY, Md (ABC7) — Family gatherings and house parties account for 67 percent of COVID-19 transmissions in Prince George's County, County Executive Angela Alsobrooks said during a Thursday press conference.

County officials say that contact tracers have determined that 44 percent of people who contracted COVID-19 reportedly attended family gatherings and 23 percent reportedly attended a house party.

Maryland Governor Larry Hogan says the trend is very much the same across the state of Maryland, saying on Wednesday that the number one cause of virus transmission in the state is family gatherings, followed by house parties, and then outdoor events.

“I think there’s a false sense of security when you’re spending time with family or friends, especially if you’re at home or at a backyard bbq," Hogan says.

Alsobrooks referenced a house party last weekend in Upper Marlboro and says that the county won't tolerate individuals not complying with Governor Hogan's Executive Order on limited gatherings.

"We are dead serious about this," Alsobrooks says. "As you know, this is a matter of life and death."

Alsobrooks says that any individual or property owner who violates the order on gatherings faces misdemeanor charges, a $1,000 fine, and up to one year in jail.

In order to ensure businesses are complying with COVID-19 protocols set forth by the county, Alsobrooks says COVID-19 Ambassador Compliance Teams will be performing unannounced visits to businesses to ensure compliance.

Any business found to be in violation of COVID-19 protocols faces a warning first, followed by a $1,000 fine for a second violation, and a third violation will result in the county shutting the business down until compliance is met.

A martial arts business in the county has already been shut down for non-compliance.

Alsobrooks says that the county is not at a point to start rolling back anything or implement new restrictions, but officials will be watching county trends vigilantly.

"COVID-19 is still very much part of our community," Alsobrooks says.

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The county's positivity rate is also down to a healthier 5.3 percent versus 43 percent in April.