A Carlisle-area resident recently treated for coronavirus-like symptoms admitted attending a “corona party” — with a confirmed coronavirus patient — days after Gov. Tom Wolf ordered Pennsylvanians to stay at home to stop its spread.

Cumberland Goodwill Emergency Medical Services workers were treating this person several days ago when the individual admitted attending the party with a confirmed COVID-19 patient, saying they “didn’t think it was that serious," said Nathan Harig, the EMS company’s assistant chief of administration.

Cumberland Goodwill would like to make sure people know that it is serious.

“We’ve had to do so much to prepare, train, get supplies,” Harig said. “We definitely want to stress you need to take this seriously.”

We had a patient with COVID symptoms who had attended a "Corona Party." The patient told our provider they "Didn't think it was that serious."



We want everyone to know-IT IS! Recklessly attending these parties puts you, your loved ones, and our providers at risk! — Cumberland Goodwill (@Co40EMS) April 7, 2020

Harig said the resident didn’t tell EMS workers where or when the party was held, other than that it was after the state’s stay-at-home order was issued on April 1.

This person was transported to a local hospital, and Harig said he didn’t know if they tested positive for the coronavirus.

He said, however, that sometimes patients with the mildest symptoms can be the ones who spread the disease.

“We just really want to stress this is not a joke — asymptomatic or pre-symptomatic transfers happen,” Harig said. “It can be deadly.”