WASHINGTON — The American Israel Public Affairs Committee confirmed Friday that at least two attendees of the 2020 AIPAC Policy Conference hosted in D.C. tested positive for coronavirus.
On Wednesday, conference attendees received a follow-up email alerting them to a possible coronavirus connection. A group from New York who attended the conference held at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center Sunday to Tuesday were "potentially in contact prior to the conference with an individual who contracted coronavirus," according to an email sent from AIPAC's president and chairman of the board.
The individual with coronavirus did not attend the conference, and the group from New York has been added to the self-quarantine list.
Conference organizers said they are in "constant communication with the Westchester County Health Department and the DC Health Department" to monitor the situation.
AIPAC said they have consulted with an infectious disease specialist Texas A&M College for advice on what to tell other attendees who are concerned about exposure.
Currently, AIPAC's advice to those who attended the conference are to follow CDC guidelines, consult a doctor if you feel ill and inform your local health authorities if you do positive for the virus so they can make the necessary alerts.
WUSA9 reached out to D.C. Department of Health officials for comment on the incident.
"Based on our investigation thus far, in collaboration with the New York State Department of Health (NYSDH), there is no identified risk to conference attendees at this time," D.C. Department of Health said. "All attendees and members of the public are urged to follow the well-established prevention tips like staying home if sick and calling ahead to a health provider if experiencing symptoms. We will work with AIPAC leadership to keep all attendees informed of any new developments.”
Approximately 18,000 were expected to attend the conference, according to AIPAC's website, including members of Congress, such as Rep. Steny Hoyer, and students from across the country.
Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan announced Thursday that three people in Montgomery County tested positive for the novel coronavirus, a married couple in their 70s and a woman in her 50s.
The three are currently in isolation at their homes, and their conditions are improving, Gov. Hogan said.
The patients returned from international travel on a cruise Feb. 20, with the CDC notifying Maryland health officials that the Montgomery residents were at risk for coronavirus infection during their trip together.
Officials would not disclose in a news conference from where the three people returned, or which local airport they traveled through.
