Covid-19 Protocol
Information provided by the NC Department of Health and Human Services, April 30th 2021
Transmission and Symptoms of COVID-19:
COVID-19 is mostly spread by respiratory droplets released when people talk, cough, or sneeze, and particularly when they sing. People in close proximity may inhale these droplets, resulting in virus transmission from one person to another. While it is possible to contract COVID-19 by touching a surface that has the virus on it and then touching your mouth, nose, or eyes, risk from this route of transmission is thought to be low. Safe and effective COVID-19 vaccines are the most effective way to prevent the spread of COVID-19. In addition, other personal prevention practices (such as wearing face coverings, physically distancing, handwashing and staying home when sick) and environmental cleaning and disinfection are also important.
Symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus. People with COVID-19 have reported a wide range of specific and non-specific symptoms of COVID-19.
People with these symptoms may have COVID-19 (but this list does not include all possible symptoms):
• Fever* or chills
• New cough
• Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
• Fatigue
• Muscle or body aches
• New loss of taste or smell
• Sore throat
• Congestion or runny nose
• Headache
• Nausea
• Diarrhea.
*Fever is determined by a thermometer reading 100.4 or higher or by subjective signs such as flushed cheeks, fatigue, extreme fussiness, chills, sweating, achiness, headache, or not eating or drinking.
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If symptoms develop during the day:
• The Assistant Director and/or Summer Camp Program Director will be notified
• The emergency contact will be notified and the child will be isolated until they are able to be picked up
• They will be isolated outside and either to Assistant Director or Summer Camp Program Director will sit with camper until someone eligible can pick the camper up.
• We will isolate campers with COVID-19 symptoms (such as fever, cough, or shortness of breath) at camp. This is in a designated building. The camper will be with 1 member of staff, who will be wearing a mask, and will wait in this location until a parent/guardian picks up their child.
• We will close off areas used by a sick camper and will not use these areas until after cleaning and disinfecting them.
• If a camper and/or staff member is diagnosed with COVID-19 we will be following the Orange County Health Department protocol on communication, camper contact procedures, and sanitization.
Returning to Camp (Staff or Campers)
Campers or staff who are sick (any fever, respiratory, or gastrointestinal symptoms) or believe they might have COVID-19 should stay home and separate themselves from other people in the home as much as possible. They should be excluded from the camp until they can answer YES to all the following questions:
• Has it been at least 10 days since you first had symptoms?
• Have you been without fever for three days (72 hours) without any medicine for fever?
• Has it been three days (72 hours) since your symptoms have improved?
If there is a Covid-19 exposure
• All campers are in their own cohort. The parents of campers within that cohort will be notified. Staff will be quarantined and campers will remain out of camp for the 10 day period.
• All other parents will be notified of the situation by email.
• Per CDC guidelines, if you have has been diagnosed with COVID-19 but do not have symptoms you will still remain in isolation for the 10 days that have passed since the date of your positive COVID-19 diagnostic test
We work very closely with Orange County Health Department. If their protocol changes we will adopt responses accordingly.
*A test-based strategy is no longer recommended to discontinue isolation
Updated Sanitation Practices
We will be routinely cleaning, sanitizing, and disinfecting surfaces and objects that are frequently touched, especially toys and games. This may also include cleaning objects/surfaces not ordinarily cleaned daily such as doorknobs, light switches, sink handles, chairs, cubbies, and playground structures.
Handwashing breaks and techniques
• Each counselor must talk to their campers about handwashing and personal space.
• Demonstrate hand washing to younger campers on Mondays
• There are 15 minute breaks between activities built in for extra bathroom and handwashing breaks.
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Social Distancing
This can decrease the spread of COVID-19. Social distancing (“physical distancing”) means keeping space between yourself and other people outside of your home. Stay at least 6 feet (about 2 arms’ length) from other people; do not gather in groups; stay out of crowded places and avoid mass gatherings.
What is social distancing at camp?
• New Hope Camp has put in place smaller group sizes. The size of groups this year has been increased to 15 - 20 campers.
• Campers within the SAME cohort can follow 3 feet social distancing. Outside of their cohort we will continue to follow the 6ft social distancing standard.
• When feasible, staff members should wear cloth face coverings when inside with campers or when unable to maintain at least six feet distance outdoors. Masks are mandatory even if you have been fully vaccinated.
Daily Routine
• Counselors and CITs will have their temperature checked every morning in the Fleming kitchen and again at the end of a shift.
• When feasible, staff members should wear cloth face coverings when inside with campers or when unable to maintain at least six feet distance outdoors. Masks are mandatory even if you have been fully vaccinated.