hundreds of infected children in a colony

In a summer camp in the United States, hundreds of cases of Covid-19 were noted. Some barrier measures had not been put in place.

At a summer camp in Georgia, United States, hundreds of children were infected with Covid-19 in June, the Centers for Disease Prevention (CDC) announced on July 31. From mid-June, 138 apprentices and 120 employees were brought together to prepare the reception of the children. On the 21st, they were joined by 363 young people, and three other employees, reports People. Two weeks later, a supervisor left the colony, tested positive for the coronavirus.

In the days that followed, Georgia's public health departments launched an investigation into the summer camp, asking all participants to get tested and self-quarantine. A total of 260 people, including many children, have been infected with the virus. According to the CDC, the numbers could be even higher, since the results of 58% of the group were missing, reports AFP.

In this holiday camp, all the barrier gestures recommended by the local authorities and the CDC had not been put in place. All participants had to present a negative test no more than twelve days before their arrival, physical distancing, frequent disinfection of surfaces and the fact of keeping groups made up of the same children throughout the stay, were respected. However, wearing a mask was only compulsory for the supervisors, and not for the participants. In addition, the regular ventilation of the buildings was not implemented, while each cabin could accommodate up to 26 people. For the CDC, the situation of this colony supports other data, "demonstrating that children of all ages are susceptible to being infected with SARS-CoV-2, and, contrary to initial information, could play an important role in transmission".

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Video by Loïcia Fouillen

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