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COVID-19 Outbreak at Western Illinois Summer Camp

Rich Egger

The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) said more than 50 people at a summer camp in Schuyler County tested positive for COVID-19 this month.

The IDPH reported the Christian camp in Rushville did not check for vaccination status of the campers or staff, and did not require masking while indoors.

The week-long camp was for students in 8th through 12th grade — ages eligible for the COVID vaccine — but the health department said it’s aware of only a handful of staff and campers who actually got their COVID shots.

According to the local health department, the outbreak took place the week of June 13. All campers and staff were sent home and asked to get tested for COVID and otherwise quarantine.

At least one person was hospitalized.

The IDPH is warning that as more contagious and possibly deadlier COVID variants spread, the only way to be protected is through vaccines.