Corona Daily 443: The Case of a Choir Rehearsal

Last week, Skagit County, Washington, published the report of its investigation into the local choir group.

Skagit Valley Chorale has 122 members, between the ages of 31 and 83 though the majority is in their late sixties. 84% of the singers are women. Practice is religiously held every Tuesday evening. Many veterans, part of the choir for more than fifteen years, eagerly look forward to these Tuesday gatherings. Skagit valley’s famous Tulip festival in April attracts a million visitors, so the months of practice in February and March are particularly special.

On 6 March, Adam Burdick, the 49 year old conductor, emailed the group: “Amid the stress and strain of concerns about the virus, practice would proceed as scheduled at Mount Vernon Presbyterian Church. I’m planning on being there this Tuesday, March 10, and hoping many of you will be, too.”

The evening of 10 March was chilly. 61 members turned up. Instead of the usual handshakes and hugs, everyone sanitized hands at the entrance and carried their own music sheets. Members sat in their usual chairs and practiced for 40 minutes. To energise the group, Burdick began with Sing on! Whatever comes your way, sing on! Sing on!  Singing was as powerful as ever.

Then they split into two smaller groups, and practiced for 50 minutes. Cookies and oranges were served in the fifteen minute break. Going back to their original seats, they rehearsed for another 50 minutes. Everyone put back their own chair, perhaps causing a little crowding at the chair rack. The 61 singers were present from 0630 to 0900 pm. Then they drove away in their individual cars.

*****

In three days, Carolyn Comstock, 62, a soprano, felt chills and a temperature. She couldn’t taste or smell the sauce she put on her pizza. 24 hours later, Burdick woke up with a temperature of 103 F.

Out of the 61 attendees, 53 developed a cough, fever, muscle ache and headache. Later a few suffered diarrhea, nausea and abdominal cramps. The more serious had viral pneumonia and respiratory failure.

On 18 March, Nancy Hamilton, 83, a soprano, sent Burdick a message saying she was worried about the condition of another. Burdick talked to comfort Nancy, but Nancy herself died the next day.

On 27 March, Carole Woodmansee died on her 81^st birthday.

*****

One singer had a cold since 7 March. That index patient was identified (but not named) as the super-spreader. The 10 March choir practice is termed a super-spreading  event, where a single person caused mass transmission. (On 11 May, in Ghana, one factory worker infected 533 co-workers).

The powerful singing was near fatal. When they projected their voices, they also projected more virus. Loud singing, even loud talking, emits more aerosols, risking greater spread of the virus. And the choir can’t rehearse with masks on.

***** 

The lessons: 80+ should be super-careful. Avoid big parties or gatherings. Talk softly. Wear masks. If you must attend a birthday party, please don’t sing ‘happy birthday’ at the top of your voice.

Ravi