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- This topic has 2 replies, 3 voices, and was last updated 1 year, 7 months ago by
Tracey Gaslin.
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April 24, 2023 at 9:53 am #48413
Amber Braley
ParticipantHello all!
I am looking for some insight regarding covid and camp this summer. We are an overnight camp for kids and adults with disabilities and our sessions range from 6-12 days. Almost all of our population are considered high risk related to either age or comorbidities. Last summer we used pre-arrival testing, a cohort model, dining and activities outside and we still had a major outbreak our first session that resulted in all campers being sent home. We are *desperately* trying to avoid that situation this summer.
With the CDC relaxing so many guidelines we’re at a loss of wanting to be cautious but not overly/unnecessarily so. I watched the most recent webinar and still feel unsure how to approach with our vulnerable campers. Any insight would be greatly appreciated!
TLDR: Overnight camps serving adults and kids with special needs (high comorbidities / immunocompromised); what covid precautions should be taken?
July 7, 2023 at 2:31 pm #50614Shelly Nalbone
ParticipantHello,
The camp that I work with is similar to yours. We are in the same situation, so I do not have an answer to your question! We had an outbreak 1 week last summer and we had to shut down a day early. This summer we are facing the same thing. We had a camper come with COVID and it is trickling through our staff. We have not found a good way to keep it out of camp.
What is your return to camp protocol for staff who tested positive for COVID?July 8, 2023 at 8:43 am #50616Tracey Gaslin
MemberThanks for sharing your ideas and concerns everyone. Remember that what we did before worked which meant things like pre-testing, ventilation, hand hygiene, sanitizing. You can decide how you might use masking, cohorting that works best for your facility.
The best option for preventing entry of COVID is pre-testing. It is not full proof, but gives you the only objective information prior to coming to camp. In the same sense, most youth have been exposed to COVID (seroprevalence is 95%) and therefore MAY already have some immunity to the condition and likely not to have severe disease.
I encourage each of you to follow your communicable disease plan – whatever you have put in place during COVID and revised since then is what you should be doing. Following your policy is important in order to avoid later potential ramifications.
Best for 2023!
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