A “student ministry camp” in Texas caused more than 125 campers to contract COVID-19.
Last weekend, the Clear Creek Community Church in League City sent a message to its members announcing that the church had an outbreak of coronavirus during a four-day youth camping trip in Camp Tejas, a recuperation area in Giddings, Texas. . More than 450 people participated in the camp, including children in grades 6-12.
“In addition, hundreds of people were exposed to COVID-19 in the camp,” the church’s message read. “When the infected person returns home from the camp, hundreds of others may be infected.”
The Galveston County Health District (GCHD) is now working to confirm these cases.
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“We are testing the Delta variant to see if this is the reason why it spread so quickly in this group,” Dr. Philip Keizer of GCHD told KHOU. “This is a good warning story for other churches considering gatherings. Be careful, especially when planning gatherings for most children who have not been vaccinated.”
GCHD’s health officials added that the outbreak may have affected children who are not eligible or not vaccinated. According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, only one-fifth of children between the ages of 12 and 15 have been vaccinated, and only one-third of children between the ages of 16 and 17 have been vaccinated.CDC). Officials said adults who were vaccinated in the camp also tested positive for the coronavirus.
The church subsequently cancelled the services on July 4 and July 7, but added that its face-to-face services would resume on July 11.
The founding pastor of the church, Bruce Wesley, wrote in a statement: “We are surprised and saddened by this change.” “We are heartbroken for those who have contracted the virus. Please pray for all those affected, A full recovery soon.”
Kaiser said the outbreak will give local health officials an opportunity to learn more about the COVID-19 Delta variant.
U.S. surgeon Vivek Murthy said that the variant Is spreading rapidly across the country And pose a serious risk to people who have not been vaccinated. He called this variant “highly contagious.”
“It will soon become a major variant of the United States,” Murthy said in a July 2 report. PBS news hour Interview. However, he also stated that the current COVID-19 vaccine provides a high degree of protection against this variant.
Last Thursday, CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky estimated that now 25% of all COVID-19 cases in the United States are caused by the Delta variant.
American citizens and healthcare experts worry that this variant may lead to a new wave of infections. The weekend of July 4th. Friday, the president Joe Biden worry “Man Will Die” By attending large gatherings where few people are vaccinated.
Although Biden said this variant is “unlikely” May lead to further blockade, He also hesitated to completely rule out this possibility.
Weekly newspaper Contacted Clear Creek Community Church for comments.
