American woman linked to at least 59 coronavirus cases at German resort

Authorities in southern Germany say they've recorded three more cases of Covid-19 connected to a 26-year-old American woman suspected of flouting quarantine rules.

The latest cases take the total number of recent infections in the Alpine resort of Garmisch-Partenkirchen to 59.

It includes 25 staff at a hotel catering to US military personnel, where the woman worked.

Anton Speer, who heads the county administration, told reporters on Tuesday that authorities are still waiting for the results of about 300 tests conducted Monday and it was too soon to give the “all-clear.”

The three new infections were said to have emerged from 740 tests conducted over the weekend.

Bavaria’s governor, Markus Soeder, called the outbreak in Garmisch-Partenkirchen “a model case of stupidity”, saying the American woman had partied despite suffering with Covid-19 symptoms and awaiting a test result.

“Such recklessness must have consequences”, said Mr Soeder, who suggested the woman, who has not been named, could be fined for her actions.

That came as Andrea Mayer, a spokeswoman for prosecutors in Munich, said a preliminary investigation into the woman had been opened, on suspicion of causing bodily harm.

“The investigation is ongoing,” she told The Associated Press, who reported new 10pm curfews on bars and restaurants in the area, following the cases.

The Edelweiss Lodge and Resort, which is reserved for members of the American military, their families and veterans, also remains closed for two weeks.

John Tomassi, a spokesman for the US Army Europe said the military was carrying out its own investigation into the incident.

Germany has seen far fewer cases and coronavirus deaths than the United States, which has more than 32-times the number of infections and 20-times more deaths.

Additional reporting by the Associated Press.