When the Berlin Cathedral Choir gathered for a rehearsal on March 9, the new coronavirus was still a distant concern, with fewer than 50 confirmed cases in the German capital.
But five days later, one of the ensemble's 80 singers contacted choir director Tobias Brommann to say she had tested positive for COVID-19.
Within two weeks, around 30 members had tested positive and a further 30 were showing symptoms – including Brommann himself, who was struck down with a headache, cough and fever.
"We also can't be sure if those without symptoms were not infected too, as we have not done antibody tests," Brommann told AFP.
Hardly considered an extreme activity up to now, singing especially choral singing is quickly earning a reputation in the pandemic as about the most dangerous thing you can do.
https://www.afp.com/en/news/3954/german-choirs-silenced-singing-branded-virus-risk-doc-1sa9nq1