Westport is ground zero for the Corona virus in the state of Connecticut, and officials say it's all because of one birthday party.

The 40th birthday party was held on March 5th in a private home.

Before there was a single case of Corona virus in the state, there were 50 guests, and it was reportedly quite a party.

But days later, many of the guests started falling ill.

The guests came from several nearby towns.

Others worked in New York City.

As they went about their lives, they unknowingly spread the virus.

One guest even flew home to South Africa, carrying the virus with him.

It's nearly impossible to figure out where all of those party guests went the next night.

Who they interacted with, where their kids went to school, where the teachers lived.

It becomes a mess, and we have to recognize that there is now community spread.

One stricken guest who attended the party is Connecticut resident Cheryl Charter, and she appears on the cover of this week's Time magazine.

The headline.

When the World Stops, we asked Dr Ross how a friendly birthday party could be come such a devastating super spreader.

When you go to a party there to have a good time, so you shake hands, you hug people.

You know them, probably right.

You're at a party together, you share utensils, you help each other out.

By cutting a piece of cake for each other, you take some of the hand food.

Westport Party is a perfect example of why social distancing is so critical.

Now Westport is totally shut down.

Ah, ghost town.

The town's famous residents include today show host Craig Melvin.

He's joining others in urging his neighbors to stay inside.