COVID Reports

Page updated June 7, 10pm

This is the final update of positive COVID-19 tests from Balticon 56 attendees: A total of six reports.

Case A:

  • Received positive test results on Sunday 29 May 9:40 am
  • They are symptomatic
  • They are fully vaccinated and remained masked
  • They staffed the Discon Follow-Up Post-Con Fan Table
  • They are staying off-site
  • They did not attend other events
  • Close family members are still testing negative

Case B – Harold Feld named with permission:

  • Received positive test results on Sunday 29 May 8 pm
  • They are symptomatic
  • They are fully vaccinated and remained masked
  • They attended/visited:
    • Saturday Night Filk
    • Hotel restaurant 11am
    • Con Suite 
    • David Gerrold table
    • Jen Midkiff concert 1pm
    • Bella Villa concert 6:30pm
  • They were staying on-site

Case C – John Thompson named with permission:

  • Received positive test results on Monday May 30 8 pm
  • They are symptomatic
  • They are fully vaccinated
  • They ate at the hotel
    • Saturday morning breakfast buffet
    • Hotel bar Saturday night
    • Con Suite through weekend
  • They utilized the smoking areas throughout the weekend
  • They attended/visited:
    • Revising Your Work (Homeland)
    • How to Incorporate Critique (Homeland)
    • What Do Editors Want? (Homeland)
    • The Heinlein Society Discusses The Moon Is A Harsh Mistress (Baltimore Ballroom B)
    • I Wrote a Novel! Now What? (Gibson)
    • Don’t Show me the Money: Cashless Societies (7029)
    • Heinlein and Me (Watertable)
  • They were staying on-site

Case D – Brandon Ketchum named with permission

  • Received positive test results on Monday May 30 8pm
  • They are symptomatic
  • They are fully vaccinated
  • They unmasked at the hotel
    • In the con suite (but only with roommates)
    • Monday morning buffet
    • Hotel bar Sat evening
    • Pool area Solo, Friday afternoon
  • They attended/visited:
    • How to Incorporate Critique (Homeland)
    • Diversity Readers and Why You Need Them (Gibson)
    • Writing the Fight Scene (Homeland)
    • Autographs: Brandon Ketchum and Craig Lawrence Gidney (5th Floor Lobby)
    • The Historical Study of Warfare (James)
    • Sustaining Tension in Your Writing (Homeland)
    • I Wrote a Novel! Now What? (Gibson)
    • Reading: Jean Marie Ward and Brandon Ketchum (St. George)
    • The Model Of A Modern Genre General (Gibson)
    • Revising your work (Homeland)
    • The reading for Scott Edelman and Alan Smale on Saturday
    • How and when to Chapter (Homeland)
  • Visited the First Timers and Friends Social Hour briefly (7006)

Case E (Updated): 

  • Received positive test results on Monday May 30 8pm
  • They are symptomatic
  • They are fully vaccinated
  • They ate at the hotel:
    • Saturday morning breakfast buffet (May 28th)
    • Hotel Bar (1st and 5th floor) Sat night (May 28th)
    • Con Suite
  • Attended events masked
    • Designing a Sentient Species
    • Torah Study
    • Workshop: Take Your Measurements
    • Diversity Readers and Why You Need Them
    • What Do Editors Want
    • Writing Characters with Agency
    • First Timers and Friends Social Hour (Fri May 27th)
    • 6th floor party (Friday May 27)
    • Hotel gym Saturday afternoon (solo)
    • Dealers room (Sat/Sun May 27-28th)

Case F:

  • Received positive test results Sunday, June 5th
  • Became symptomatic Friday, June 3rd
  • They are fully vaccinated
  • They were in the Dealer’s room on Friday and Saturday May 27-28th

When to test:

CDC defines day of known or expected exposure as Day 0. An exposure is close or extended contact without respiratory protection with a person known or suspected of having COVID-19. The earliest that one may show positive test results if they contract COVID-19 is 48-72 hours after exposure; CDC recommends testing no earlier than day 5 (120 hours after exposure) or upon developing symptoms.

What to do if exposed:

If you are up to date on vaccinations, you do not need to isolate, but should wear a well fitting mask around others for the next 10 days.

If you are not up to date, they recommend isolating for 5 days, and then wearing a mask around others for the following 5.

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/your-health/quarantine-isolation.html

Please email covid@balticon.org if you have any questions or concerns.

Stay safe.

— The Balticon Covid Committee