State sets new COVID testing requirements for prep sports
Published 11:30 am Friday, December 17, 2021
All high school athletes involved in high-contact indoor sports, regardless of vaccination status, must undergo COVID-19 testing at least three times per week under new requirements the state Department of Health announced Friday.
The new testing requirements come in the wake of an estimated 200 COVID-19 cases that have been linked to recent high school wrestling events, the DOH said in a release. Three of the cases have been confirmed as the omicron variant.
The testing requirements apply to all athletes, coaches, trainers and support personnel, regardless of vaccination status, for basketball, wrestling and competitive cheer.
At least one of the three weekly tests must occur within one day of competition, and ideally on the day of competition, the DOH said.
Previously, unvaccinated athletes in high-contact indoor sports were required to be tested twice per week. Vaccinated athletes weren’t required to be tested.
“Omicron is a game-changer, but we know layered prevention measures slow the spread of COVID-19 in sports, schools, and communities,” Lacy Fehrenbach, the state’s deputy secretary for the COVID-19 response, said in the release. “Please get vaccinated, boosted, wear a well-fitting mask, and maintain your distance to help our kids stay healthy, stay in the game, and stay in school.”
As of Friday afternoon, there were 67 confirmed COVID-19 cases in Snohomish County that have been linked to recent wrestling events, according to the Snohomish Health District.
Thirteen local school districts have been impacted: Arlington, Darrington, Edmonds, Everett, Lake Stevens, Lakewood, Marysville, Monroe, Mukilteo, Northshore, Snohomish, Stanwood-Camano and Sultan.
The Snohomish Health District lists eight wrestling “events of concern”: the John Birbeck Invitational in Lacey (Dec. 4); the Ed Arima Duals in Sumner (Dec. 4); the Lady Jags Kickoff Tournament in Puyallup (Dec. 4), Yelm Girls Varsity in Yelm (Dec. 4); a Davis High School meet in Yakima (Dec. 4); the Edmonds Invite Tournament (Dec. 4); the Snohomish JV Tournament (Dec. 11) and the Spud Walley Invitational in Sedro-Woolley (Dec. 11).
The new testing requirements are in addition to existing guidance that requires all athletes, coaches, trainers and support personnel to wear masks in indoor public spaces, except when actively competing. Referees also must wear masks, except when actively officiating. And all indoor event spectators must wear masks and should distance themselves from other households, the DOH said.
“Vaccinations, in addition to testing and masking, will help keep our athletes healthy and allow everyone to continue to enjoy sporting events while also limiting the spread of disease,” Dr. Tao Sheng Kwan-Gett, the DOH’s chief science officer, said in the release. “Getting a booster will make protection against the omicron variant even stronger. The booster vaccine is now available for everyone 16 years and older.”
