After a successful premiere of Dancing With The Stars (DWTS), the dance competition show ran into a major hitch as multiple crew members tested positive for COVID-19, raising fears of a full-blown outbreak.
A DWTS spokesperson confirmed at least four cases of the disease among the crew members, resulting in a major setback. The networks have since strived to control the spread of the infection and receive clearance from the Department of Public Health to continue production.
DWTS Records COVID-19 Outbreak
Following speculations that the show recorded up to a dozen cases, news outlets sought confirmation from insiders. Speaking to Deadline, a DWTS spokesperson revealed the actual number of confirmed cases among the crew members as four. The four individuals who tested positive worked in different departments and had no in-person contact based on DWTS records. Notwithstanding, the show took extra care to mitigate the spread. The spokesperson divulged:
“Contact tracing was immediately conducted. All close contacts were notified and put on increased testing cadence. No close contact of the four positive production employees has since tested positive.”
As an extra precaution, the entire set was disinfected. The show’s executives also asked the majority of their employees to work from home to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 among DWTS cast and crew members.
What Is The fate Of Dancing With the Stars Following COVID-19 Outbreak?
Having put several measures in place to curb the further spread of COVID-19 on the ongoing season of Dancing With The Stars, the showrunners were ready to move forward. Owing to the strict safety protocols, the Department of Public Health eventually cleared the show to continue production.
Meanwhile, the 16 celebrity contestants on DWTS, along with their professional-dance partners competed in front of a live audience during the premiere episode on Monday, September 19. Actor Jason Lewis and pro-dancer Peta Murgatroyd ended up as the couple with the lowest score, earning them an early eviction. The remaining 15 couples would battle it out on stage in the coming weeks until one pair emerge the winner of the 31st season of Dancing With The Stars.
