Two camps--one in NE Ga--close because of COVID

Two Georgia YMCA camps are shutting down after a counselor tested positive for coronavirus, officials said Thursday.

Officials said they made the difficult decision to shut down both Camp High Harbour locations at Lake Allatoona in Bartow County and Lake Burton in Rabun County for the rest of the summer.

The counselor was immediately sent home after testing positive and exhibiting symptoms.

"The counselor... passed the mandated safety protocols and screening, inclusive of providing a negative COVID-19 test, before arriving at camp and did not exhibit any symptoms upon arrival," officials said. "In fact, all counselors and campers attending passed all mandatory screenings."

Officials said all participant fees will be refunded or applied as a credit for next summer.

Yesterday, we learned that a camper at a Forsyth County day camp tested positive for the virus. Sawnee Mountain day camp said that camper took a test as part of a prerequisite to attend overnight camp. The camper came into contact with 11 other campers and three staff members.

Forsyth County officials said they don’t plan to shut down all summer camps, but will take more precautions.

© 2020 Cox Media Group