US Coronavirus: Over 200 Gym Buffs Exposed To COVID-19 In West Virginia

Health officials in West Virginia warned over 200 gym buffs who frequented a Planet Fitness facility to undergo quarantine as they might have been exposed to a COVID-19 positive customer.

A statement from the Monongalia County Health Department (MCHD) instructed the gym members to remain in quarantine in their homes until July 8, if they were at the facility in Morgantown on June 24, between 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

"We are urging people to get testing if they become symptomatic," Mary Wade Burnside, the health department's spokesperson, said via CNN.

The gym closed for additional deep cleaning, but it has plans to reopen Tuesday (June 30) at 6:00 a.m.

The health department learned of the COVID-19 positive customer on Saturday (June 27) and estimated that 205 others were exposed. Lee B. Smith, the executive director of MCHD, said that they tried to advise many people as quickly as possible so that they could avoid going to public places, potentially exposing more as well.

Planet Fitness Senior Vice President of Communications McCall Gosselin said that as of Monday (June 29), no other members or employees have reported any coronavirus symptoms after they were informed of the COVID-19 positive member. Gosselin said that the gym would take "every necessary precaution to ensure the safety of our community."

"We have taken a number of steps across all of our locations, which include enhanced cleanliness and sanitization policies and procedures, extensive training for staff, physical distancing measures, reducing physical touch points in the club with touchless check-in, and more," Gosselin said.

Monongalia County has logged 157 coronavirus cases as of Monday with five deaths. West Virginia, on the other hand, has a total of 2,870 cases, with 93 deaths.

The state allowed the re-opening of gyms in the middle of May.