The V.I. Dept. of Sports, Parks and Recreation announced Thursday that two campers at the Renholdt Jackson Baseball & Basketball Camps have tested positive for Covid-19. DSPR said the V.I. Dept. of Health confirmed the positive results Wednesday.
According to the release, safety protocols and guidelines put in place by DSPR for the in-person summer camps initially identified the Covid-positive campers. Safety protocols at all DSPR camps ensure children do not intermingle with campers who are not part of their group, and therefore other camps at the facility were not affected, DSPR said.
DSPR said the affected campers last attended in-person camp on Tuesday; an elevated temperature was identified when camp personnel conducted a mandatory temperature scan at the drop-off on Wednesday; and the individual was then directed to remain with their parent and not return to camp until a negative test result was received.
The camper tested positive for Covid-19 on Wednesday and the child’s parents notified camp officials the same day. D.O.H. was immediately contacted by DSPR personnel, according to the release.
The second child infected was a family member of the first infected camper, and D.O.H. has conducted contact tracing among campers and staff in the affected groups — all of whom will undergo Covid-19 testing, if necessary.
The affected group and facility are being thoroughly sanitized with the appropriate CDC-approved cleaning/sanitizing solutions, according to the release.
DPSR Commissioner Calvert White said all parents of campers have been notified, and the department has followed up with a letter requiring that all campers in the Basketball and Baseball pods quarantine for seven days.
The Marine Camp pod was not affected, according to the release.
“The protocols proscribed by the Department of Health that we have in place allowed us to react quickly," Mr. White said. "Unfortunately, for the safety of all campers and staff, we have had to temporarily suspend operations at the camps. This is an example of why we continue to urge all eligible Virgin Islanders to get vaccinated and follow the health guidelines so we can lessen the chance of these outbreaks occurring.”
DSPR said it will continue to follow internal guidelines to ensure the safety and security of everyone visiting its facilities.
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