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A 20-year-old woman who attended Reading Festival has died in hospital.
Organisers Festival Republic have confirmed the death and sent their condolences to her family. They say she had a pre-existing medical condition.
The woman reportedly died on Friday evening (August 27) after being taken to Royal Berkshire Hospital, the BBC reports.
"It is with deep sadness that Festival Republic confirms there has been a death at Royal Berkshire Hospital," BerkshireLive quotes organisers as saying.
"A 20-year-old festival-goer with a pre-existing condition tragically passed away on Friday evening.
"Her family was with her when she died. We are in touch with her family and extend our sincerest sympathy to them and her friends."
More than 100,000 people have thought to have attended the August bank holiday event in Reading, which has returned after two years after 2020's three-day festival was cancelled due to the Covid pandemic.
Headliners at the event include Brit rapper Stormzy, Post Malone, and Liam Gallagher.
On Saturday (August 28), Festival Republic managing director Melvin Benn praised both Reading and Leeds festivals and said it had given young people a place where "they did not have to think about Covid" and could "live freely".
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In order to get into this year's festival, visitors have had to provide either proof of full vaccination with the second dose at least 14 days prior to the festival, proof of a negative NHS lateral flow test taken prior to travel on the day of arrival at the festival, or proof of natural immunity based upon a positive PCR test within 180 days of the festival.
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These precautions are in place to try and prevent the three-day festival from becoming a super-spreader event.
This month's Boardmasters Festival in Cornwall has been linked to around 4,700 Covid cases, despite organisers asking all ticket-holders aged 11 and over to show an NHS Covid Pass before entering.
Dr Rebecca Howell-Jones, acting director of public health for Herefordshire, which saw a spike in cases linked to the festival, urged attendees of large events to be careful.
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"You should not attend if you have symptoms or test positive for Covid-19," she told the Hereford Times.
"I would encourage everyone to take an LFD test before going to a festival – many festivals will require this or proof of vaccination as condition of entry.
"Case rates are very high, particularly in young adults. It is therefore very likely that some people at an event with large numbers of young people, such as a festival, will have Covid without knowing it.
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"The usual measures can help keep you safe – limit the number of people you have close contact with, stay out of crowded areas, keep outdoors, wash your hands regularly and wear face coverings in indoor areas.
"When you return from a festival, again take regular LFD tests, be vigilant for symptoms and, if possible, stay away from people who might be more vulnerable to Covid."
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