Participant at Toronto summer camp tests positive for coronavirus

Aug 12 2020, 8:22 pm

A participant at one of Toronto’s summer camps has tested positive for COVID-19.

On Wednesday, the City was advised that a camper at the Barbara Frum Community Centre — one of the City of Toronto’s 120 CampTO locations — tested positive.

The camper was sent home from camp with symptoms last week and has been self-isolating since that time.

“Out of an abundance of caution, CampTO programs at the Barbara Frum Community Centre and the Glen Long Community Centre will close for the remainder of the week,” the release said.

“A small number of children from the CampTO program at Barbara Frum returned to camp at the same location as well as at Glen Long Community Centre.”

Each centre will undergo a deep cleaning before CampTO resumes on Monday, August 17.

The City said they continue to reach out to notify the families who have children attending each CampTO location as well as camp staff.

And, families of the children who attended the CampTO locations from August 4 to 12 and had direct contact with the participant will be contacted by Toronto Public Health.

To date, no additional campers or staff have reported symptoms.

“Those who are considered to be at high-risk of exposure will be instructed to seek testing and self-isolate for a symptom-free period of 14 days, while those who are considered low-risk would be advised to self-monitor for COVID-19 symptoms and seek testing if they become symptomatic,” the city says.

But, campers who test negative, remain asymptomatic, and are not required to self-isolate will be able to return to the CampTO locations on Monday.

To reduce the spread of virus, all CampTO programs have strict safety and health measures which include: enhanced ratio of staff to campers and reduced group sizes; use of masks indoors; physical distancing; mandatory health screening; and enhanced facility cleaning.

To further limit virus spread, each camp group stays together in a cohort for the entire week, and does not interact with other campers.

The City’s remaining 118 CampTO locations will continue to operate.

Clarrie FeinsteinClarrie Feinstein

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