Which event is linked to more than 250,000 new coronavirus cases according to research?

The Sturgis Motorcycle Rally is linked to more than 250,000 new coronavirus cases according to research due to its large attendance and the close-quarter interactions that typically occur at such events. When the rally took place, it attracted hundreds of thousands of participants who traveled from various parts of the country, which is a critical factor in viral transmission. The sheer volume of attendees created an environment conducive to the spread of the virus, especially before widespread vaccination was achieved. Public health officials emphasized that large gatherings like this pose significant risks for increasing COVID-19 case numbers, particularly when proper health safety protocols, such as mask-wearing and social distancing, are not consistently followed.

In contrast, while other motorcycle events do draw crowds, they did not generate as significant a spike in case numbers as the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally, making this event particularly notable in discussions of COVID-19 transmission linked to mass gatherings.