Effectiveness of Non-Pharmaceutical Interventions on Child and Staff COVID-19 Cases in US Summer Camps

Abstract

Background. Most camps remained closed during Summer 2020, due to concerns regarding child transmission of SARS-CoV-2 and limited information about the effectiveness of non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs) within child congregate settings. Methods. We surveyed US camps about on-site operations, camper and staff demographics, COVID-19 cases amongst campers and staff, and NPI usage as related to pre-camp quarantines, facial coverings, physical distancing, cleaning, and facility modifications. For all NPIs, save quarantines, responses were provided on a 5-point Likert scale format. Results. Within 486 on-site camps, a range of NPIs were instituted, most often related to reduced camper interactions, staff face coverings, cleaning, and hand hygiene. Camper facial coverings were less common, with campers always wearing masks at ~34% of the camps. Approximately 15% of camps reported 1+ confirmed COVID-19 case in either campers or staff, with three camps reporting a COVID outbreak. In both single and multi-NPI analyses, the risk of COVID-19 cases was lowest when campers always wore facial coverings. While less effective, constant use of staff facial coverings and targeted physical distancing measures, but not pre-camp quarantine, also reduced COVID-19 risks. Conclusions. We found constant facial coverings, especially for campers, and targeted physical distancing measures to reduce risks of SARS-CoV-2 transmission within summer camps. Our findings provide valuable guidance for future operations of camp and other child congregate settings with regard to efficient and effective NPI usage to mitigate SARS-CoV-2 infection.

The Impact of COVID-19 on Food Security: Ghana in Review

“…(Meo et al, 2020;Thu, Ngoc, & Hai, 2020). Some scholars (Bo et al, 2021;Hossain et al, 2020;Lai et al, 2020;Nunan & Brassey, 2020;Suh, Meehan, Blaisdell, & Browne, 2021) have reported on these interventions and have ascertained their effectiveness in response to the outbreak when implemented earlier in the epidemic. Other measure put in place included social distancing, in-land transportation restrictions, ban on travels by sea and air, quarantine of infested individuals, ban on social gathering, compulsory washing of hands and wearing of face masks at public places Figure 1.…”