Coronavirus outbreak at Missouri summer camp infects at least 82 campers, counselors, staff

LAMPE, Mo. — A Missouri summer camp closed one of its eight sites Monday after a novel coronavirus outbreak sickened at least 82 campers, counselors and staff.

The Stone County Health Department confirmed the spike in infections linked to the Kanakuk K-2 Camp in Lampe, Missouri, which offers two- and four-week sessions for campers ages 13 to 18, The Kansas City Star reported.

“The decision to close has resulted in all campers, counselors and staff to return to their homes,” the health department stated.

Of the 82 confirmed cases, 31 of the patients who tested positive for COVID-19 were tested at the camp and the rest were tested at home, KOLR reported.

According to KYTV, nearly 5,000 campers from 10 different states have already cycled through Kamp Kanakuk sessions this summer.

Dr. Randall Williams, director of the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, told KYTV the site is responding with testing for all staffers. Once infected staffers are isolated and test negative for COVID-19, abbreviated sessions will be considered.

Pam Burnett, administrator of Stone County Health Department, told KOLR that the majority of the documented cases are from outside the area, and those individuals have already returned to their home states. Her office is working with the patients’ local health departments to continue monitoring their statuses.

Cox Media Group