As protests continue, health officials worry about coronavirus spread

Its been almost over a week since protests erupted all over the country.

But as demonstrations continue, so does the threat of the coronavirus.

For more than a week, mass protests have erupted all over the country.

But as demonstrations continue.

So does the threat of the coronavirus.

Action news now reporter ana torrea is live in redding, and ana what are health officials saying one their big concerns?

People being so close together and not wearing masks.

Take pk* empty sidewalks today..

Compared to tuesday night's protests at the shasta county courthouse.

Which drew a large crowd.

Take na* <<nats of protest > but as protests continue: take nat* <more protest nats > so does the coronavirus pandemic.

Take so* trt: 09 donell ewert shasta health and humans services agency director once there's an introduction, depending on the scenario and the situation that happens, we're going to see cases and the public needs to be prepared for that.

Shasta county public health concerned that asymptomatic, people attending the protest could easily pass on the virus.

Take so* trt: 16 dr. karen ramstrom shasta county health officer activities such as protest can be done in a safe manner but when there is congregating like that and its not done safely in terms of physical distancing and somebody was symptomatic was attending that does put us at risk ana stand u* trt:09 ana torrea atorreanews as you can see now the sidewalk is calmer and clearer now compared to yesterday which had both sides of court street packed with people but people tell me: despite living with a pandemic-- the movement is necessary.

Take so* trt:04 whitney scott lives in redding people have the right to talk about how they feel, there's a lot going on that's not right as long people take pre- cautions.

Take so* trt: 09 tami watson lives in redding personally i would be wearing a mask in any large gathering or when i go to the store i wear a mask, i still think that's an important thing to adhere to but public health warning the public... take so* trt: 11 donell ewert shasta health and humans services agency director we are not always going to have a trickle like we're having now, that's why we need to remain vigilant and reduce our risk as much as possible to reaming vigilant.

> public health is also advising people that did attend the protests to get tested.

And to avoid contact with high-risk populations.

Reporting live in redding, ana torrea, action news now coverage you can count on the state is