Coronavirus clusters are spreading all the time but a new string has been linked to religious gatherings and schools during the second wave.
Massachusetts Island New Cluster
Nantucket in Massachusetts has reported a string of new COVID-19 cases traced back to a church gathering.
A joint statement from the Nantucket Health Department and the Nantucket Cottage Hospital said of the 19 new confirmed infections a cluster had connections to a church gathering.
The statement didn't name the church but officials encouraged residents to wear protective face masks in public. They asked citizens to avoid large gatherings and practice proper social distancing.
Local officials are investigating the church gathering and contact tracing has commenced.
Western Australia Cargo-Ship Cluster Update
The Patricia Oldendorff anchored off the Western Australia coast near Pilbara reported eight new confirmed COVID-19 cases - bringing the count of the cargo ship's cluster cases to 17.
The infected ship arrived from Manila, Philippines, last week, and has since been moored to prevent the outbreak from spreading onshore.
Local officials said the infected crew either had few symptoms or were asymptomatic but proper care was required as it is transferred to an isolation facility.
Clusters in Three New York Counties Raise Concerns
Rockland, Orange and Brooklyn counties in New York have triggered worries among local health officials and the communities as COVID-19 clusters emerge.
The infection rates in the counties have been on the rise over the past week - with one area code in Orange County at 22%, two codes in Rockland County at 30% and 25%, respectively, and one in Brooklyn with a 17% infection rate.
The state's health department hasn't confirmed how the clusters started or if they were linked to large religious gatherings over the past weeks.
Gov. Andrew Cuomo has warned that if the cluster infections don't ease in a few days, institutions and businesses that have been reopened for economic recovery may be ordered to shut again.
New York is the fourth hardest-hit state in the U.S. with more than 455,000 confirmed COVID-19 cases and more than 33,000 deaths.
Saskatchewan High School Cluster
The Yorkton Regional High School in Saskatchewan, Canada, has become a breeding ground for a new outbreak as students tested positive.
According to local officials, investigations continue as four students have been infected with the virus.
The Saskatchewan Health Authority said there was no immediate evidence that transmission occurred within the school. Further investigation is required.
Previous clusters in Canada have been contained but health experts warned new clusters linked to schools can be expected as in person classes are reintroduced.
