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Two GECAC participants test positive
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Two primary grade students participating in Give Every Child a Chance’s Summer Day Camp at the River Islands Technology Academy in Lathrop have tested positive for COVID-19.

That prompted GECAC to end the program two days early. Originally today was scheduled as the final day of summer camp.

The organization – which aims to provide free tutoring and student engagement programs to any young person struggling in school in Manteca, Lathrop, Ripon, French Camp, and Escalon – confirmed the positive cases of two of the program participants on Wednesday but declined to provide any additional information citing privacy concerns.

According to GECAC President Christina Keefhaver, the organization remains committed to doing everything it can to protect the children and the families that utilize its programs, the staff that provide instruction and assistance, and the wider community it is a part of.

“Please be aware that the health and safety of our children, staff, parents and community at large is our number one priority,” Keefhaver said in a statement. “Any indication that there may be exposure of any type of safety concern is immediately inquired into and safety measures are immediately implemented.

“Due to the confidentiality of the community we serve, we cannot provide additional information. We will continue to monitor any safety concerns and take appropriate actions to continue to ensure the members of our community are safe.”

The revelation of two coronavirus positive children came on the same day that California Governor Gavin Newsom announced rollbacks to the reopening program that was authorized in early June after the state appeared to have a handle on the number of cases that were being diagnosed.

With the number of cases soaring across the state Newsom imposed restrictions on 17 of the state’s counties – which are home to more than 70 percent of the state’s population – for a period of several weeks and plans on reevaluating them based on how the virus progresses over that span of time.

To contact reporter Jason Campbell email jcampbell@mantecabulletin.com or call 209.249.3544.