Utah camps, schools cracking down on flu
One is placing containers of hand sanitizer everywhere, while another has doubled efforts to wipe down touchable surfaces, using a special concoction designed to kill viruses. Although Utah's busy summer camps and gathering spots are rumbling along pretty much as usual, organizers are keeping a wary eye out for signs that pandemic influenza has breached their walls.
And "sick today, please stay away" is practically a theme song.
A Boy Scout camp in Utah County took a week off after a teen staff member tested positive for H1N1, the so-called swine flu. And the virus has led to recent cancellation of several Sunday meetings in Wasatch Front congregations of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, including wards in Centerville, Layton, Highland, American Fork and West Jordan. Programs — from busy summer camps and retreats at the University of Utah and BYU to a popular swimming pool in Logan and day-care camps in Salt Lake County — are following local health department advisories and are singing a chorus of "wash your hands" and "don't show up sick." Folks planning birthday parties at This Is the Place Heritage Park are being given the same message.
More than 700 Utahns have tested positive for H1N1 — a sure undercount, because people with the flu's milder symptoms are unlikely to seek medical care or testing. As of Tuesday, six deaths in Salt Lake County had been lab-confirmed as H1N1.
Although the Scout camp, Camp Maple Dell, reopened Monday, it and other camps in the National Parks Boy Scout Council are taking extra precautions. So are camps run by the Great Salt Lake Boy Scout Council. And maintenance crews at This Is the Place are among the many who deal with lots of people daily and are wiping down surfaces more, scheduling extra bathroom breaks and generally emphasizing good hygiene, said Tresha Kramer, a park spokeswoman.
TITP has as many as 150 campers, ages 6-11, enrolled every week. The birthday parties and other gatherings bring in at least 100 more a week. And that doesn't count outings from year-round schools. The park asks on its Web site that those who are sick just stay home.
It's similar to a message posted on the Great Salt Lake Boy Scout Council's Web site: "In order to protect our staff, please advise Scouts, leaders and others who are scheduled to attend camp of the following: Any potential campers, who have any flu-like symptoms please stay away from camp. If campers become ill during the camp it is important for them to return to their homes."
Recent comments
It's great stuff, but don't let your kids eat it (some smell pretty...
Hand Sanitizer | June 17, 2009 at 2:26 p.m.
Like watching clouds gather across the valley and preparing to take...
MartyS | June 17, 2009 at 2:07 p.m.
This is a new strain of flu, that has not been seen before. It may...
John Pack Lambert | June 17, 2009 at 1:53 p.m.
- NFL local watch, week 9 2:09 p.m.
- Cougars practice with urgency 1:59 p.m.
- Man killed in Utah County crash 1:34 p.m.
- Drug company settles Utah suit 1:33 p.m.
- NBA game experience Online 1:31 p.m.
- Audit: S.L. County 911 'inefficient' 1:02 p.m.
- Chamber has state budge answers 12:57 p.m.
- Paisley focused on duties, not CMAs 12:54 p.m.
- Brown pelicans off endangered list 12:52 p.m.
- Death penalty rare in military 12:50 p.m.
- SLC council OKs gay rights policies
- Utah Jazz have a problem at point
- 'Love story' of crash victim ends
- BYU football recruit turning heads
- 12 Utes return to Texas
- Wyoming writer amazed by BYU
- Pratt pleads not guilty to sex charges
- Cougars' defensive hoops clinic
- Hair-pulling raises more questions
- Gays get Mormon support in SLC
- House passes health care bill
269 - TCU showdown has big implications
189 - SLC council OKs gay rights policies
179 - Senators want food tax restored
157 - Cougars crush hapless Cowboys
155 - Utah Jazz fall apart against Kings
131 - TCU 4th in AP poll; U. 16th, Y. 22nd
119 - No 'backlash' for pioneers, gays analogy
108 - S.L. vote pending on gay protections
107 - Pratt pleads not guilty to sex charges
94
This week, I'm compiling my annual list of restaurants serving...
Please put down your broad brush. You obviously do not personally know any...
Quite a stretch there, Bill Sr. - Beck and Hannity would be proud. Hasan...
This just never ends. Scott Duncan was part of Bob Flowers’...
Thank you for posting this article. It's fun to follow our local athletes...
Anonymous, You continue to out do youself in my opinion. You don't live in...
How come there is no mention about the greatest QB to ever walk on a football...
These two jumped in and helped when the officer needed it the most. They...
I live in Salt Lake and I watch Utah, TCU will have their hands full........
At least the y never gets blown out at home . . . except when the play a...
I hope we can get a Designated Player now that the other own is super rich.


