COVID-19 At Ohio Campgrounds: New Guidance Released

OHIO — After suspected COVID-19 outbreaks were traced back to Ohio campgrounds, the state health department released new guidance to prevent further spreading of the virus.

The guidance includes "layered prevention tactics," for campers who are not fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Namely, this includes wearing face masks, maintaining distance from other campers, frequent hand washing and frequent cleaning and sanitation.

“If not everyone at a residential camp is fully vaccinated, the layering of strategies is critical to protecting campers, staff, and volunteers,” said Dr. Bruce Vanderhoff, chief medical officer at Ohio Department of Health. “This is especially important as a new, more contagious strain of COVID-19 settles in our state. Taking these precautions can help reduce the likelihood of spread and allow everyone to safely participate in camp activities.”

The more contagious strain of COVID-19 that is now spreading in Ohio is the delta variant, which Vanderhoff has previously said is more contagious than any other previously dominant strain of the virus.

Unvaccinated people are at the highest risk of contracting delta, Vanderhoff said, and communities with low-vaccination rates could face "hyperlocal outbreaks," he added. The way the delta variant spreads is the same as other variants of COVID-19, but less particles are required to spread the virus, said The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center Chief Clinical Officer Dr. Andrew Thomas. He urged unvaccinated Ohioans to wear masks and take precautionary measures in public.

“Vaccination is our most effective tool for preventing COVID-19 and putting the pandemic behind us,” Vanderhoff said. “These vaccines save lives and will help ensure Ohioans are able to enjoy many more summers to come.”