Lakeway party may have exposed hundreds of teens to COVID-19

Coronavirus

TRAVIS COUNTY (Talk1370.com) -- Hundreds of teenagers may have been exposed to COVID-19 after attending a party in Lakeway last weekend, officials warned Thursday.

Austin Public Health says some 300 teenagers attended a 'Pongfest' party on June 20, including several who were waiting for COVID-19 test results to come back. Those results came back positive, and now health officials are working to perform contact tracing on anyone who may have been at the party.

Lakeway Mayor Sandy Cox, in a Facebook Live video Thursday, urged anyone who attended the party to isolate themselves. "We need anyone who went to that party to isolate for 14 days," Cox said in the Facebook video. "And if you have been in contact with anyone else at that party, they need to isolate for 14 days. If you are symptomatic, go get tested."

Cox said that Lakeway has had a total of 105 cases, with about 50 active cases as of Thursday - an active count that has grown significantly in the last week, and one that Cox fears will grow higher following this party. Health officials are working with Baylor Scott & White to set up a testing site for those who attended the party.

Austin Public Health continues to urge the community to take preventative actions to stop the spread of COVID-19, including:
  • Work with your primary doctor if you have insurance. Free testing is reserved for those without insurance, visit www.AustinTexas.gov/COVID19 for more information
  • Don’t wait for your test results before isolating. If you have symptoms or think you were in contact with someone who tested positive, self-isolate and right away.
  • Wash your hands
  • Wear a mask in public
  • Cover sneezes and coughs with a bent elbow or tissue
  • Avoid touching your face