Canada Day cookout turned sour: Causing a Coronavirus cluster in Calgary

Bryson Montgomery, like the majority of Albertans, thought the region's Coronavirus figures had dropped drastically at the beginning of July, so he felt there was no harm in attending a Canada Day cookout. On getting there, he threw caution to the winds, and others were not left out too.

According to Montgomery, no one obeyed any social distancing rules; people were within six feet of each other and there were most likely up to 20 to 30 people there. He went on to say that there was a very high probability of the virus spreading at an alarming rate if someone amongst them had it; which was exactly what transpired. Montgomery still has a cough after testing positive for the Coronavirus, which he feels he must have been infected at the cookout he attended.

A minimum of 13 other people he knew that attended the Canada Day cookout also tested positive for Covid19; Montgomery is taking a bold step to share his story to serve as a deterrent to other people. According to Montgomery, the virus spread so quickly without any one of them knowing.  He spoke further saying nearly a week later; a group of his friends came together for a backyard cookout when they found out that an individual at the Canada Day cookout had tested positive.  Alberta Health’s guidelines on gatherings prohibit more than 50 persons together indoors and it also includes adhering to the social distancing of two meters. Officers also advise putting on masks indoors when physical distancing might be a challenge.

Hence, after knowing his status, Montgomery and his friends had to tell anyone they had come in contact with; and according to him, they were so many. It was devastating because people had generally let off guard.  His symptoms were more conspicuous than for many of his friends. He said they had practically lost their sense of smell and ability to taste.  He further explained that he felt torpid and also experienced a continuous croaky cough. Not too long, one night he said, he began to feel sharp pains in his lungs each time he took a deep breath. He affirmed his fear at this occurrence; however, the pain disappeared after a good night’s sleep.