Background
On July 31, 2020, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported a significant COVID-19 outbreak among overnight campers attending sessions in Georgia from June 17-27, 2020.[1] Forty-four percent (44%) of attendees (significantly, with high positivity rates among all age subgroups) tested positive for SARS-Cov-2 despite the camp’s adoption of most of the components of the CDC’s Suggestions for Youth and Summer Camps to minimize the risk for SARS-CoV-2 introduction and transmission. Cloth masks were required for staff members, and camp attendees were cohorted by cabin. During the camp, attendees engaged in a variety of indoor and outdoor activities, including daily vigorous singing and cheering. Measures not implemented were cloth masks for campers (masks were only mandatory for staff) and opening windows and doors for increased ventilation in buildings.
Table 1. SARS-CoV-2 Attack Rates Among Attendees of an Overnight Camp, Georgia, June 2020
| Characteristics | Number of Campers | Number Testing Positive | Percentage Positive |
| Overall | 597 | 260 | 44 |
| Male | 267 | 123 | 46 |
| Female | 330 | 137 | 42 |
| Age 6-10 | 100 | 51 | 51 |
| Age 11-17 | 409 | 180 | 44 |
| Age 18-21 | 81 | 27 | 33 |
| Age 22-59 | 7 | 2 | 29 |
| Trainees | 134 | 26 | 19 |
| Staff | 117 | 66 | 56 |
| Campers | 346 | 168 | 49 |
Lessons Learned
The measures adopted by the camp were insufficient to prevent an outbreak. This experience suggests the following:
- Cohorts sleeping in the same cabin likely contributed to transmission. This type of activity should be avoided during the pandemic.
- Cohorts engaging in regular singing and cheering likely contributed to transmission. These types of activities should be avoided during the pandemic.
- Use of cloth masks was not universal. Mask use should be universal during the pandemic.
- Physical distancing, mandatory use of cloth masks, and adoption of suggested ventilation practices should be emphasized as important strategies for mitigating transmission in congregate settings.
[1] 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. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.15585/mmwr.mm6931e1