World-renowned summer camp now in outbreak, health unit confirms
A world-renowned summer camp for kids in Muskoka is now in outbreak after several positive cases of COVID-19 were detected.
The Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit officially declared Muskoka Woods camp in Rosseau in an outbreak on August 1 after finding evidence of transmission in more than one cabin, with the first case reported on July 31.
A total of four staff and campers tested positive for the virus with two other preliminary positive results as of August 2.
The health unit says it's working closely with the camp, which had about 600 campers and staff on the grounds.
"In discussion with the camp, it was decided to be prudent to ensure that the new campers that are coming in not be put at potential risk," says Dr. Colin Lee, associate medical officer with the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit.
Camping on the grounds has been cancelled for the week, campers have been picked up by parents, while some staff remain on-site who Dr. Lee says continue to follow health and safety protocols.
In a release, Muskoka Woods calls the outbreak "one of the heartbreaking things of the pandemic," now that its guests won't be able to attend camp this week after two years of waiting.
"Our hearts are aching for all the kids who missed out on everything that summer camp has to offer," says President and CEO John McAuley.
Prior to campers' arrival, the camp says it worked closely with the health unit to put together a comprehensive COVID-19 safety plan and implemented new protocols which it believes met and exceeded the Ministry of Health Ontario's COVID-19 safety guidelines for overnight camps.
These measures include two months of leadership staff training, ventilation and air filtration improvements, and the enhancement of its cleaning and disinfecting protocols.
"This particular camp did the best they can, but COVID is very stealthy," says Dr. Lee. "We are confident that we can work with the camp to limit its spread and potentially reopen as soon as feasible."
According to Dr. Lee, those who tested positive were either unvaccinated or not fully vaccinated, with a second dose having yet to take effect two weeks prior to their arrival.
While testing of the 600 staff and campers continues at the camp and those with symptoms remain in isolation, Dr. Lee says the key to getting the virus under control is to ensure as many young people as possible get vaccinated.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Quebec nurse had to clean up after husband's death in Montreal hospital
On a night she should have been mourning, a nurse from Quebec's Laurentians region says she was forced to clean up her husband after he died at a hospital in Montreal.
Northern Ont. lawyer who abandoned clients in child protection cases disbarred
A North Bay, Ont., lawyer who abandoned 15 clients – many of them child protection cases – has lost his licence to practise law.
Bank of Canada officials split on when to start cutting interest rates
Members of the Bank of Canada's governing council were split on how long the central bank should wait before it starts cutting interest rates when they met earlier this month.
Maple Leafs fall to Bruins in Game 3, trail series 2-1
Brad Marchand scored twice, including the winner in the third period, and added an assist as the Boston Bruins downed the Toronto Maple Leafs 4-2 to take a 2-1 lead in their first-round playoff series Wednesday
Cuban government apologizes to Montreal-area family after delivering wrong body
Cuba's foreign affairs minister has apologized to a Montreal-area family after they were sent the wrong body following the death of a loved one.
'It was instant karma': Viral video captures failed theft attempt in Nanaimo, B.C.
Mounties in Nanaimo, B.C., say two late-night revellers are lucky their allegedly drunken antics weren't reported to police after security cameras captured the men trying to steal a heavy sign from a downtown business.
What is changing about Canada's capital gains tax and how does it impact me?
The federal government's proposed change to capital gains taxation is expected to increase taxes on investments and mainly affect wealthy Canadians and businesses. Here's what you need to know about the move.
New Indigenous loan guarantee program a 'really big deal,' Freeland says at Toronto conference
Canada's Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland was among the 1,700 delegates attending the two-day First Nations Major Projects Coalition (FNMPC) conference that concluded Tuesday in Toronto.
'Life was not fair to him': Daughter of N.B. man exonerated of murder remembers him as a kind soul
The daughter of a New Brunswick man recently exonerated from murder, is remembering her father as somebody who, despite a wrongful conviction, never became bitter or angry.