Local Camp Linked To COVID Outbreak

More than 125 campers and adults who attended a summer camp at Camp Tejas, just across the Fayette County line in Lee County, say they have tested positive for coronavirus, according to a statement from Clear Creek Community Church Lead Pastor Bruce Wesley.

Clear Creek Community Church is a church based in League City near Houston.

Tejas Camp & Retreat is monitoring its staff members’ health and continues to use safety and testing as recommended by the state and the CDC, Executive Director Paul Biles said in a statement Tuesday.

Biles said Clear Creek Community Church was the only group using the facility when the outbreak occurred.

The outbreak occurred after a late June Student Ministry Camp for teens that was attended by more than 450 people, county health officials said.

The Galveston County Health District (GCHD) said it was notified of the first positive case tied to the church camp on June 27. At least three samples from the outbreak were confirmed to be the Delta coronavirus variant, which is more transmissible to others, according to the district.

“In this outbreak, at least as of now, it appears most of the people who have tested positive are old enough to be vaccinated. These vaccines are safe, effective and they offer the best protection against COVID-19 to you, your family and your community,” Dr. Philip Keiser of the GCHD said in a statement.