Some tribal casinos in San Diego County are advertising New Year’s Eve promotions and events, despite county records linking hundreds of positive coronavirus cases to gaming.

KPBS recently published county outbreak data showing 638 positive cases tied back to tribal casinos, including 266 to Viejas, 155 to Sycuan, 102 at Barona and double-digit case counts at Jamul, Harrah’s, Valley View and Pala casinos.

"It’s very clear that some of those new protocols have not been very effective,” said Julian Posadas with Unite Here Local 30, a labor union representing 900 tribal casino workers.

"We’re talking about a virus that is airborne,” Posadas said. “Anybody can get it. Any kind of protective gear is helpful, but we know when people are smoking, they’re taking off their masks. When people are drinking, they’re taking off their masks."