NEW PROBLEM
Dr. Anthony Fauci, the U.S.' leading infectious disease expert, said Omicron is “just raging around the world” these days. (Photo: Stefani Reynolds/Reuters)

Anthony Fauci, the chief medical advisor to the White House, has expressed concerns over the large gatherings occurring at this year's Sturgis Motorcycle Rally in South Dakota. Fauci said Monday that the event could result in a new surge of COVID-19 infections in the region.

The 81st Sturgis Motorcycle Rally kicked off on Friday in South Dakota's Black Hills. No vaccination, testing, or masking requirements have been put in place throughout the 10-day event. Some local officials and residents have expressed concerns that the mass gatherings at bars, campsites, and concerts could cause the further spread of the more contagious Delta variant, which is already infecting thousands across the nation.

More than 700,000 bikers are estimated to have arrived in the town of Sturgis, which only has a population of about 7,000 people. Local law enforcement officials said the turnout is the largest they have seen in decades. Meade County Sheriff Ron Merwin said he hasn't seen this many people in the town in his 31 years in service.

Fauci said that, while he understands why people want to experience freedom after months of being locked down, people have to understand that there is still a pandemic. He said that everyone has to do their part in helping mitigate the spread of the disease.

"We need to get this pandemic under control before we start acting like nothing is going on. Something bad is going on and we've got to realize that," Fauci stated.

Last year's Sturgis Motorcycle rally was classified by health experts as a "super spreader event." The rally resulted in more than 460 attendees becoming infected with COVID-19. Health experts said this year's event could be much worse given the rapid spread of the Delta variant of the coronavirus.

Local officials said they have set up vaccination and testing centers for interested attendees at this year's event. Johnson & Johnson's COVID-19 vaccine will be made available at the vaccination centers set up around town. The city has also lifted restrictions on drinking on public property in an effort to prevent indoor crowding.

Before the event kicked off, South Dakota had recorded a 68% increase in new COVID-19 cases. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, only around 46% of residents in the county are fully vaccinated.