GLADWIN, MI — Public health officials are now aware of more than 50 confirmed cases and 13 probable cases of COVID-19 tied to a Christian youth camp in Gladwin County.
Steve Hall, health officer with Central Michigan District Health Department, provided the updated case count on Wednesday, Aug. 5, up from 42 confirmed cases a week ago. Of the now 66 confirmed and probable cases, 27 are campers, 27 are staff/camp counselors, and 12 are secondary cases, he said.
“In terms of how many people were potentially exposed, there were over 230 campers between the two camps,” Hall previously told MLive.
The camps took place July 12-17 and July 19-23.
Springs Ministries, located at 1950 N. M-30 in Gladwin, about 50 miles northwest of Bay City, is now temporarily closed, the last two weeks of camp canceled, according to an update posted on its website last month. The camp had been in session for three weeks before closing after a camper and “many” staff members tested positive for COVID-19, according to the post.
“The last two weeks of camp have been cancelled. We had a camper test positive for Covid after returning home from the week of July 12-17. We were informed on Wednesday July 22. Since then we have tested staff and have had many test positive as well,” the announcement reads.
“We followed our policies and that of our licensing agency from the State of Michigan which we stated at the beginning of the summer, including, limiting camper numbers, smaller cabin sizes and more activities and meals outside, recording daily temperatures of staff (no fevers were evidenced) and monitoring their health, taking temperature of campers on arrival and departure and asking questions about camper’s exposure. We realize that Covid exposure could happen anywhere and at anytime. We are saddened that it happened here.”
Camp officials could not be reached for comment.
Hall said the health department sent an email to campers on July 27 to notify them of the situation. At that time, at least 28 camp counselors were confirmed to have COVID-19 and more had symptoms of the disease, according to the letter.
Campers are urged to quarantine for 14 days from the day they left camp and self-monitor for symptoms of COVID-19, which include:
- fever
- chills
- cough
- shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
- fatigue
- muscle or body aches
- headache
- new loss of taste or smell
- sore throat
- congestion or runny nose
- nausea or vomiting
- diarrhea
“If you are having any of these symptoms, and they are new or worse than what you might have from any underlying health problem, PLEASE GET TESTED FOR COVID-19 as soon as you can,” the email to campers reads. “You can call your health care provider; tell them you have been exposed to COVID-19 and ask for testing. You can also go to www.mi.gov/coronavirustest or call 2-1-1 to find a COVID-19 testing site near you.”
Anyone associated with the camp who is diagnosed with COVID-19 prior to Friday, Aug. 7, is asked to notify the health department so officials can keep track of the number of cases related to this event.
Hall said there are currently no plans for the camp to reopen this month.
COVID-19 PREVENTION TIPS
In addition to washing hands regularly and not touching your face, officials recommend practicing social distancing, assuming anyone may be carrying the virus.
Health officials say you should be staying at least 6 feet away from others and working from home, if possible.
Use disinfecting wipes or disinfecting spray cleaners on frequently-touched surfaces in your home (door handles, faucets, countertops) and carry hand sanitizer with you when you go into places like stores.
Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has also issued an executive order requiring people to wear face coverings over their mouth and nose while inside enclosed, public spaces.
Read all of MLive’s coverage on the coronavirus at mlive.com/coronavirus.
Additional information is available at Michigan.gov/Coronavirus and CDC.gov/Coronavirus.
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