COVID-19 cases surged in Pennsyhlania after Trump visits, Biden celebrations

COVID-19 cases surged in Pennsylvania after Trump visits, Biden celebrations Mass gatherings during the 2020 election cycle exceeded state limits and public health recommendations. YahooNews

As Pennsylvania grapples with a record number of positive COVID-19 cases, concerns are mounting that some of the infections could be blamed on the 2020 presidential election. 

President Donald Trump's campaign rallies attracted tens of thousands of supporters in the waning days of his re-election bid in Pennsylvania. 

President-elect Joe Biden's supporters poured into the streets in Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, and other cities in Pennsylvania and across the country on Saturday to celebrate the Democratic challenger's win. 

But those mass gatherings exceeded state limits and public health recommendations. 

How did those events impact the state at a time when the coronavirus is surging to record levels? 

When considering whether political events may have an impact on coronavirus case counts in the state, look to recent history. 

A USA TODAY investigation last month determined COVID-19 cases grew at a faster rate in Lackawanna and Dauphin counties after Trump held rallies there. That finding also held true in counties in Minnesota and Wisconsin. ...