Potential COVID-19 Exposure during Sturgis Rally; ‘Under 25’ confirmed

STURGIS, SD. – South Dakota health officials say a number of people who attended the 10-day Sturgis Motorcycle Rally this month, including some who came from out of state, have come down with COVID-19.

State health officials also announced Thursday, August 21, that an individual who visited three businesses in Sturgis, SD has tested positive for COVID-19.

The individual visited the following businesses while able to transmit the virus to others on these dates and times:

The Knuckle Saloon at 931 1st St. in Sturgis
August 15 from 5:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Broken Spoke Saloon at 905 Lazelle St. in Sturgis
August 15 from 6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
One Eyed Jack’s Saloon at 1304 Main St. in Sturgis
August 15 from 7:15 p.m. – 11:30 p.m.

Due to the risk of exposure, individuals that visited these businesses during the specified dates and times should monitor for symptoms for 14 days after they visited.

South Dakota epidemiologist Josh Clayton says the health department has received reports from other states that people who traveled from the rally have tested positive. Residents from Minnesota and Nebraska are among those who have contracted coronavirus after being exposed during the 10-day motorcycle rally.

Officials didn’t give an exact number of rallygoers who tested positive, on Thursday, but they said it was under 25 at this time.