85 cases in Illinois summer camp

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (KWQC) – The Illinois Department of Health reports that 85 adolescents and adult staff at a summer youth camp held in mid-June in central Illinois have tested positive for COVID-19. One unvaccinated young person had to be hospitalized.

Health officials say only a handful of campers and staff are vaccinated and masks are not needed while indoors. They also remind people about the importance of vaccination. including youth Because the virus continues to spread.

Dr Ngozi Ezike, Director of IDPH, said: “Most of the 85 COVID-1

9 cases associated with youth camps are among teenagers. “The perception of the risks to children may seem small. But even patients with COVID-19 Mild cases can also cause long-term health problems. In addition, infected youth who may not have a serious illness can spread the virus to others. including those who are too young to be vaccinated or who do not have the strong expected immunity to the vaccine,” she added.

In fact, a few people in the camp also attended meetings nearby. This resulted in 11 more cases. The outbreak occurred in the Schuyler and Adams counties.

IDPH continues to assist local health authorities in connection with youth camps and conference outbreaks. and is working with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Samples are being searched for genome sequencing to determine which cases are caused by variants.

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