Preventing, Mitigating SARS-CoV-2 Transmission: 4 Camps, Maine, June–Aug. 2020

Laura L. Blaisdell, MD¹; Wendy Cohn, PhD²; Jeff R. Pavell, DO³; Dana S. Rubin, MD⁴; Jeffrey E. Vergales, MD⁵ (View author affiliations)

Summary

What is already known about this topic?

Nonpharmaceutical interventions (NPIs) have been shown to decrease spread of communicable disease. Data on the effectiveness of NPIs on the prevention and mitigation of SARS-CoV-2 transmission among children and adolescents in congregate settings are limited.

What is added by this report?

During the 2020 summer camp season, four Maine overnight camps with 1,022 attendees from 41 states and international locations implemented a multilayered prevention and mitigation strategy that was successful in identifying and isolating three asymptomatic COVID-19 cases and preventing secondary transmission.

What are the implications for public health practice?

Understanding successful interventions to prevent and mitigate SARS-CoV-2 transmission in overnight camps has important implications for similar congregate settings such as day camps and schools with the same age range.

https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/69/wr/mm6935e1.htm?s_cid=mm6935e1_w