Oakland camp attendee tests positive for coronavirus, camp closed for rest of the summer – NorthJersey.com

OAKLAND — A camper participating in the borough’s summer camp has tested positive for COVID-19, closing the Grade 6-8 camp for the rest of the summer.

Mayor Linda Schwager confirmed Wednesday that a sixth-grader in the group left the camp feeling unwell Tuesday, and later tested positive for the coronavirus.

“All precautions had been taken, everything was cleaned,” Schwager said. “Unfortunately, nothing is perfect. This is a problem all over the world.”

The camp, according to an announcement on Facebook on Wednesday, was informed late Tuesday that a child within the sixth grade group “tested in accordance with NJ Department of Health and CDC guidelines.”

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The announcement goes on to say that all campers and staff who were potentially exposed as close contacts were identified and their parents were notified, and they have been advised to quarantine.

The sixth-grade campers did not interact with any other groups, since age groups in the camp are separated. However, all camp staff and parents of all the campers were also advised of the camper’s positive test, as was the New Jersey Department of Health. 

Schwager said the borough’s summer recreation camp director, Emily Smolenski, determined that because of the number of counselors exposed, they would be shorthanded and would discontinue the Grade 6-8 camp for the remainder of the summer.

Smolenski could not be reached for comment.  The number of campers affected was not immediately available.

Ricardo Kaulessar is a local reporter for NorthJersey.com. For unlimited access to the most important news from your local community, please subscribe or activate your digital account today.

Email: kaulessar@northjersey.com Twitter: @ricardokaul