A new study claims the Sturgis motorcycle rally held in South Dakota last month has led to 260,000 cases of coronavirus since the rally, multiple media outlets are reporting.
The study was done by the Center for Health Economics and Policy Studies at San Diego State University by using cellphone data.
You can read the report here .
South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem said the study was fiction, adding the research was not peer-reviewed, the Sioux Falls Argus Leader reported .
Read More But not all are agreeing with the research.
“Under the guise of academic research, this report is nothing short of an attack on those who exercised their personal freedom to attend Sturgis,” Noem said in a statement, according to the Argus Leader . “Predictably, some in the media breathlessly report on this non-peer reviewed model, but on incredibly faulty assumptions that do not reflect the actual facts and data here in South Dakota.”
State health officials said there were only 124 cases of South Dakotans who were sick after Sturgis, the newspaper reported . The Associated Press counted 290 positive cases in 12 states connected to the event. Both are well below the 260,000 cases claimed by the study.
South Dakota epidemiologist Josh Clayton and Secretary of Health Kim Malsam-Rysdon also said the study didn’t take into account the case numbers that had been climbing in the state before the rally, possibility attributing it to the reopening of schools, The Washington Post reported .
Clayton Malsam-Rysdon also questioned using cellphone data to correspond with case counts, the Post reported .
“What I have to say at this point is the results do not align with what we know for the impacts of the reality among attendees in the state of South Dakota,” Clayton said, according to the post .
The study was looking to see the effects of events that could be considered super-spreaders. The Center for Health Economics and Policy Studies has also looked at Black Lives Matter rallies and President Donald Trump’s Tulsa, Oklahoma, political rally held in June, according to the newspaper .
About 460,000 people attended the 10-day motorcycle rally, The Washington Post reported .
Sturgis 80th anniversary DEADWOOD, SD - AUGUST 08: A woman crosses the street wearing a mask as motorcyclists ride through downtown Deadwood, South Dakota during the 80th Annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally on August 8, 2020. While the rally usually attracts around 500,000 people, officials estimate that more than 250,000 people may still show up to this year's festival despite the coronavirus pandemic. (Photo by Michael Ciaglo/Getty Images) (Michael Ciaglo/Getty Images)
Sturgis 80th anniversary People crowded around bars in Sturgis, S.D., on Friday, Aug. 7, 2020 during the 80th anniversary of the Sturgis Motorcyle Rally. (AP Photo/Stephen Groves) (Stephen Groves/AP)
Sturgis 80th anniversary STURGIS, SD - AUGUST 09: People order drinks from behind a plexiglass shied at the Big Engine Bar at the Buffalo Chip during the 80th Annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally in Sturgis, South Dakota on August 9, 2020. While the rally usually attracts around 500,000 people, officials estimate that more than 250,000 people may still show up to this year's festival despite the coronavirus pandemic. (Photo by Michael Ciaglo/Getty Images) (Michael Ciaglo/Getty Images)
Sturgis 80th anniversary Bikers ride through downtown Sturgis, S.D., on Friday, Aug. 7, 2020. Organizers of the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally expect 250,000 people to visit the town of Sturgis during the 10 day rally. (AP Photo/Stephen Groves) (Stephen Groves/AP)
Sturgis 80th anniversary DEADWOOD, SD - AUGUST 08: Motorcyclists ride through downtown Deadwood, South Dakota during the 80th Annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally on August 8, 2020. While the rally usually attracts around 500,000 people, officials estimate that more than 250,000 people may still show up to this year's festival despite the coronavirus pandemic. (Photo by Michael Ciaglo/Getty Images) (Michael Ciaglo/Getty Images)
Sturgis 80th anniversary STURGIS, SD - AUGUST 09: Maggie Zepeda, center, dances as she watches a concert at the Full Throttle Saloon during the 80th Annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally in Sturgis, South Dakota on August 9, 2020. While the rally usually attracts around 500,000 people, officials estimate that more than 250,000 people may still show up to this year's festival despite the coronavirus pandemic. (Photo by Michael Ciaglo/Getty Images) (Michael Ciaglo/Getty Images)
Sturgis 80th anniversary STURGIS, SD - AUGUST 09: People watch a concert at the Full Throttle Saloon during the 80th Annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally in Sturgis, South Dakota on August 9, 2020. While the rally usually attracts around 500,000 people, officials estimate that more than 250,000 people may still show up to this year's festival despite the coronavirus pandemic. (Photo by Michael Ciaglo/Getty Images) (Michael Ciaglo/Getty Images)
Sturgis 80th anniversary STURGIS, SD - AUGUST 08: Motorcyclists ride down Main Street during the 80th Annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally in Sturgis, South Dakota on August 8, 2020. While the rally usually attracts around 500,000 people, officials estimate that more than 250,000 people may still show up to this year's festival despite the coronavirus pandemic. (Photo by Michael Ciaglo/Getty Images) (Michael Ciaglo/Getty Images)
Sturgis 80th anniversary STURGIS, SD - AUGUST 07: Motorcyclists ride down Main Street during the 80th Annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally on August 7, 2020 in Sturgis, South Dakota. While the rally usually attracts around 500,000 people, officials estimate that more than 250,000 people may still show up to this year's festival despite the coronavirus pandemic. (Photo by Michael Ciaglo/Getty Images) (Michael Ciaglo/Getty Images)
Sturgis 80th anniversary DEADWOOD, SD - AUGUST 08: Motorcyclists ride through downtown Deadwood, South Dakota during the 80th Annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally on August 8, 2020. While the rally usually attracts around 500,000 people, officials estimate that more than 250,000 people may still show up to this year's festival despite the coronavirus pandemic. (Photo by Michael Ciaglo/Getty Images) (Michael Ciaglo/Getty Images)
Sturgis 80th anniversary STURGIS, SD - AUGUST 08: Motorcyclists embrace during the 80th Annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally in Sturgis, South Dakota on August 8, 2020. While the rally usually attracts around 500,000 people, officials estimate that more than 250,000 people may still show up to this year's festival despite the coronavirus pandemic. (Photo by Michael Ciaglo/Getty Images) (Michael Ciaglo/Getty Images)
Sturgis 80th anniversary STURGIS, SD - AUGUST 09: A sign about social distancing sits outside the Full Throttle Saloon during the 80th Annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally in Sturgis, South Dakota on August 9, 2020. While the rally usually attracts around 500,000 people, officials estimate that more than 250,000 people may still show up to this year's festival despite the coronavirus pandemic. (Photo by Michael Ciaglo/Getty Images) (Michael Ciaglo/Getty Images)
Sturgis 80th anniversary STURGIS, SD - AUGUST 09: People watch a concert at the Full Throttle Saloon during the 80th Annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally in Sturgis, South Dakota on August 9, 2020. While the rally usually attracts around 500,000 people, officials estimate that more than 250,000 people may still show up to this year's festival despite the coronavirus pandemic. (Photo by Michael Ciaglo/Getty Images) (Michael Ciaglo/Getty Images)
Sturgis 80th anniversary Thousands of bikers rode through the streets for the opening day of the 80th annual Sturgis Motorcycle rally Friday, Aug. 7, 2020, in Sturgis, S.D. (AP Photo/Stephen Groves) (Stephen Groves/AP)
Sturgis 80th anniversary People fill a bar during the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally, Friday, Aug. 7, 2020, in Sturgis, S.D., amid the coronavirus pandemic. (AP Photo/Stephen Groves) (Stephen Groves/AP)
Sturgis 80th anniversary STURGIS, SD - AUGUST 07: Kevin Campbell (C) cheers while watching a band perform during the 80th Annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally on August 7, 2020 in Sturgis, South Dakota. While the rally usually attracts around 500,000 people, officials estimate that more than 250,000 people may still show up to this year's festival despite the coronavirus pandemic. (Photo by Michael Ciaglo/Getty Images) (Michael Ciaglo/Getty Images)
Sturgis 80th anniversary STURGIS, SD - AUGUST 07: Huey Barney takes a call on his motorcycle during the 80th Annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally on August 7, 2020 in Sturgis, South Dakota. While the rally usually attracts around 500,000 people, officials estimate that more than 250,000 people may still show up to this year's festival despite the coronavirus pandemic. (Photo by Michael Ciaglo/Getty Images) (Michael Ciaglo/Getty Images)
Sturgis 80th anniversary DEADWOOD, SD - AUGUST 08: Motorcyclists ride through downtown Deadwood, South Dakota during the 80th Annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally on August 8, 2020. While the rally usually attracts around 500,000 people, officials estimate that more than 250,000 people may still show up to this year's festival despite the coronavirus pandemic. (Photo by Michael Ciaglo/Getty Images) (Michael Ciaglo/Getty Images)
Sturgis 80th anniversary DEADWOOD, SD - AUGUST 08: A man gets on his motorcycle in downtown Deadwood, South Dakota during the 80th Annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally on August 8, 2020. While the rally usually attracts around 500,000 people, officials estimate that more than 250,000 people may still show up to this year's festival despite the coronavirus pandemic. (Photo by Michael Ciaglo/Getty Images) (Michael Ciaglo/Getty Images)
Sturgis 80th anniversary STURGIS, SD - AUGUST 08: People walk along Main Street during the 80th Annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally in Sturgis, South Dakota on August 8, 2020. While the rally usually attracts around 500,000 people, officials estimate that more than 250,000 people may still show up to this year's festival despite the coronavirus pandemic. (Photo by Michael Ciaglo/Getty Images) (Michael Ciaglo/Getty Images)
Sturgis 80th anniversary Thousands of bikers rode through the streets for the opening day of the 80th annual Sturgis Motorcycle rally Friday, Aug. 7, 2020, in Sturgis, S.D. Many at the rally defied coronavirus precautions like wearing face masks or social distancing. (AP Photo/Stephen Groves) (Stephen Groves/AP)
Sturgis 80th anniversary STURGIS, SD - AUGUST 07: A motorcyclist wears a face mask during the 80th Annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally on August 7, 2020 in Sturgis, South Dakota. While the rally usually attracts around 500,000 people, officials estimate that more than 250,000 people may still show up to this year's festival despite the coronavirus pandemic. (Photo by Michael Ciaglo/Getty Images) (Michael Ciaglo/Getty Images)
Sturgis 80th anniversary STURGIS, SD - AUGUST 07: People drink on the decks at One Eyed Jacks Saloon during the 80th Annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally on August 7, 2020 in Sturgis, South Dakota. While the rally usually attracts around 500,000 people, officials estimate that more than 250,000 people may still show up to this year's festival despite the coronavirus pandemic. (Photo by Michael Ciaglo/Getty Images) (Michael Ciaglo/Getty Images)
Sturgis 80th anniversary STURGIS, SD - AUGUST 07: Joe Nagy buckles his dog, Bentley, into his motorcycle during the 80th Annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally on August 7, 2020 in Sturgis, South Dakota. While the rally usually attracts around 500,000 people, officials estimate that more than 250,000 people may still show up to this year's festival despite the coronavirus pandemic. (Photo by Michael Ciaglo/Getty Images) (Michael Ciaglo/Getty Images)
Sturgis 80th anniversary Thousands of bikers rode through the streets for the opening day of the 80th annual Sturgis Motorcycle rally Friday, Aug. 7, 2020, in Sturgis, S.D. Among the crowds of people in downtown Sturgis, a handful wore face masks to prevent the spread of COVID-19. (AP Photo/Stephen Groves) (Stephen Groves/AP)
Sturgis 80th anniversary STURGIS, SD - AUGUST 08: Motorcyclists ride down Lazelle Street during the 80th Annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally in Sturgis, South Dakota on August 8, 2020. While the rally usually attracts around 500,000 people, officials estimate that more than 250,000 people may still show up to this year's festival despite the coronavirus pandemic. (Photo by Michael Ciaglo/Getty Images) (Michael Ciaglo/Getty Images)