Last month – more than 130 people tested positive for COVID-19 at a church-sponsored summer camp in the Texas area, serving more than 450 adults and teens
MINNEAPOLIS – Summer camps for young people can play an important role in the lives of children. “Also promote mental health and go out for normal experiences as children and go back to school in the fall,” said Dr. Madeleine Gagnon, Associate Director of Pediatrics at Gillette Children’s Specialty Healthcare. .
But nationwide – there have been several reports of COVD 19 outbreaks in a children’s camp – as the highly contagious Delta variant continues to spread. “Certainly in communities where the vaccination rate is low, we would expect to see a peak in the delta variant,” said Dr. Gagnon. “The delta variant is considered to be more contagious than the previous variants that we have seen before.”
Dr Gagnon says it’s important for those who aren’t vaccinated to follow safety precautions – to limit the spread to those who may be susceptible. “For my own children, they attended the downtown Minneapolis tennis camp and, as they stood in line and were in close contact with other children, they wore a mask,” said Dr. Gagnon.
Last month – more than 130 people tested positive for COVID-19 at a church-sponsored summer camp in the Texas area, serving more than 450 adults and teens. Health officials say the delta variant has been detected in several of these cases.
In Illinois, the Department of Public Health reported that 85 teens and adults at a youth summer camp also tested positive for the virus. In this case, health officials said all campers were eligible for the vaccine, but were only aware of a handful of campers and staff who were vaccinated.
While Dr. Gagnon encourages all 12 years and over to be vaccinated.
“This is the way to end the pandemic, to help stop the spread,” said Dr. Gagnon.
She urges parents to take the necessary steps to help protect campers, staff and their families from exposure to COVID-19.
The Minnesota Department of Health says the department has not seen any outbreaks like those described in other parts of the country. MDH continues to recommend programs that follow COVID-19 prevention guidelines for certified daycares, youth programs, and camps to help prevent transmission between staff and participants in these settings.
