Dozens of children who came into contact with Santa Claus at a US parade have been told to isolate at home after the big man in red tested positive for COVID-19.
As many as 50 children came into contact with Santa and his wife, Mrs Claus, at a Christmas parade in Ludowici, Georgia last Thursday (local time).
The event included a tree lighting ceremony and photo opportunities for children who wanted to meet the Clauses.
Despite not exhibiting any symptoms at the parade, the pair tested positive for the coronavirus just two days later, indicating they may have been infectious when they came into contact with the kids.
Those children who were exposed to the Clauses have been told to stay at home and switch to virtual learning until after the Christmas break, if they're showing symptoms.
Robert Parker, chairman of the Long County Board of Commissioners, admitted the positive result was a cause for concern, but said it's not a time to overreact.
"I feel that it is important to note that exposures happen every day as we go about our day-to-day lives, often without any knowledge," said Parker. "Children are in close contact with both other children and adults daily at school, recreation functions and church."
Since its arrival on US shores early this year, coronavirus has caused 484,000 infections, 38,000 hospitalisations and more than 10,000 deaths in Georgia.
Like most states in the US, it has seen a rapid increase in new coronavirus cases in recent months. Over the past week in Georgia, there has been an average of 5562 new cases per day - more than four times the average in early October.
The US experienced a record 280,000 new COVID-19 cases in a single day earlier this month, with 16.6 million positive tests and more than 300,000 deaths now having been recorded since the start of the outbreak.
