COVID-19 cases have been surging in the U.S and in some communities; the numbers have been linked with summer camps. Some of the states with rising infection numbers are Florida, Illinois, Kansas, Missouri and Texas. Recently, the Orange County Mayor, Demings, recommended using masks indoor and in crowded places, even for fully vaccinated people. He also talked about making this recommendation mandatory in the future.
Summer camps: the perfect place for a COVID-19 outbreak
According to recent articles, the outbreaks from summer camps have also spread inside the communities of those stated. These states also have low vaccination rates, which could be another reason why COVID-19 infections keep multiplying. Another reason for the outbreaks could be the highly transmissible Delta variant. Summer camps began in the U.S before many parents had a chance to take their children to a vaccination center for their shots.
How could summer camps become safer?
In the same article, an infectious disease specialist from Vanderbilt University, Dr. William Schaffner, said that the news is not surprising. Although summer camps were closed in the U.S last summer, it seems that this year the plan was different. To make things safer, summer camps should have the entire adult staff vaccinated against the SARS-CoV-2 infection. In addition, all eligible children need to be vaccinated if they want to go to these summer camps. Some other advice included: serving meals in shifts, fewer people sharing the same cabins, and those unvaccinated should wear masks indoors and in crowded places. Unfortunately, those who get infected during summer camps also get home and infect their loved ones. This is how an outbreak begins, especially in communities with a lower number of fully vaccinated people.
