HASTING, MI (WNWN) – Health officials say a COVID-19 outbreak has been linked to a campground near Hastings.
The Barry-Eaton District Health Department says anyone who attended Camp Michawana in Barry County’s Hope Township on or after July 24 may have been exposed and should quarantine at home for 14 days after the last date of their stay.
The Lansing State Journal says as of Thursday, five staff members and one visitor had tested positive for the virus, and another person is considered a probable case.
A news release from the health department says the faith-based camp is cooperating with health officials and the camp will be closed to visitors for two weeks.
Officials estimated that about 250 visitors or staffers were at the camp over the past two weeks and are most likely to have been exposed.
About 180 children under 18 attended Camp Michawana’s overnight’s children’s camp this week or last, the health department said. Another 70 people either attended or worked at the family-style camp.
The outbreak is not the first to happen at a summer camp.
There are 53 confirmed coronavirus cases and another 13 probable cases connected with the Springs Ministries summer camp in Gladwin, Steve Hall, health officer for the Central Michigan District Health Department, recently told the Detroit Free Press. Of the 66 cases in all, 27 are campers and 27 are staff or camp counselors.
On Thursday, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed an executive order requiring children and staff at child-care centers and camps to wear masks while riding a bus or walking down a hallway, with more stringent requirements for older children.
