Today we are highlighting another *outstanding* source for COVID info aimed for the general public, Your local epidemiologist, who gave us permission to repost their recent report on what happened in a COVID outbreak at a summer camp in Georgia.
Attack rate among kids at an overnight camp in Georgia. A case analysis.
What happened?
June 17–20: Orientation for 138 trainees and 120 staff members
June 21: 138 trainees left. 363 campers and three senior staff members joined staff
June 23: Teenage staff member left camp because of symptoms
June 24: Teenage staff member tested and reported a positive COVID19 test
June 24: Officials began sending campers home
June 27: Camp closed
Interestingly, this camp did adhere (to the most part) of state requirements. All trainees, staff members, and campers were required to provide documentation of a negative viral SARS-CoV-2 test ≤12 days before arriving. Staff members also were required to wear cloth masks (if they actually did, we don’t know).
However, some measures were not implemented:
• Kids didn’t wear cloth masks
• Windows and doors were not opened to increase ventilation
• A variety of activities were indoor and outdoor, including daily vigorous singing and cheering.
Figure shows attack rate: high across all ages. CDC concluded: “This investigation adds to the body of evidence demonstrating that children of all ages are susceptible to SARS-CoV-2 infection and, contrary to early reports, might play an important role in transmission”.
Love, your local epidemiologist
Data source:
Szablewski CM, Chang KT, Brown MM, et al. SARS-CoV-2 Transmission and Infection Among Attendees of an Overnight Camp — Georgia, June 2020. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. ePub: 31 July 2020.
Your local epidemiologist shares lots of data-heavy reports in plain English. If that’s your jam (and we know it is), we recommend you go follow them too. Here’s the link to the original post.
