RUSHVILLE, IL — A recent outbreak of COVID-19 has been linked to teen campers and staff members at an Illinois church camp in early June, according to the Illinois Department of Public Health. Of the nearly 85 people who contracted the virus, one was hospitalized.
The health department said the outbreak was due to a low vaccination rate at the overnight summer camp where only a “handful” of the residents reported being vaccinated, the state health department said in a news release. The camp also did not require staff or campers to wear masks.
State health officials did not name the camp, but a Pike County Health Department release said a COVID-19 outbreak in the area was due to at least 50 confirmed cases at Crossing Camp in Rushville. That number later grew as some members of the camp traveled to a nearby conference, exposing more people.
“The majority of the 85 COVID-19 cases associated with the youth camp are among teens,” said IDPH Director Dr. Ngozi Ezike. “The perceived risk to children may seem small, but even a mild case of COVID-19 can cause long-term health issues. Additionally, infected youth who may not experience severe illness can still spread the virus to others, including those who are too young to be vaccinated or those who don’t build the strong expected immune response to the vaccine.”
Schuyler and Adams counties, where the camp and conference were located, have a 40 percent vaccination rate among their populations. Local health officials said 70 percent of those who contracted COVID-19 in the latest outbreak were not vaccinated.
The camp made a statement postponing the next summer session, which is advertised to 9-11 year olds.
“Due to a recent outbreak of COVID-19 related to Student Camp June 13-17, we have made the difficult decision to postpone our 4th & 5th grade Crossing Camp,” the website statement said. “We were so looking forward to spending time with your campers this weekend, but we believe the best way to value and love our students, difference makers and staff is to delay camp until a safer time.”
The state health department said it is working with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to request those who contracted the coronavirus at either events submit samples to test for the delta variant.
Crossing Camp is affiliated with The Crossing, a large nondenominational Christian church with locations in three states. Its four-day youth camp was designed for eighth graders and high school students. The camp ran from June 13-17, while the conference where infections were also recorded ran from June 18-19.
A packing list on the organization’s site requires items like sunscreen, modest swimsuits and a “Bible, of course!” but does not require masks.
Representatives from The Crossing did not immediately respond to Patch’s inquiries.
Though Illinois reopened in early June after a year of strict public health protocols, health officials still advise those who aren’t vaccinated, such as children, to wear a mask while indoors.