Madison County sets guidance on high-risk school sports - Rome Sentinel

The Madison County Board of Health met Thursday to discuss high-risk school sports. The board recommended against wrestling this winter. It also recommended that each district handle approval of individual high-risk sports.

The state gave the green light to high risk sports as soon as Feb. 1, though individual counties must also give any approvals.

“The opening of high-risk sports represents a situation in which the risks and benefits to different groups are very complex,” the board stated. It acknowledged the benefits of exercise and athletic competition to both physical and mental health. “It has been a significant hardship for students to miss out on the benefits of school and community sports. However, these benefits must also be balanced with the goal of returning students to full-time public education and the goal of protecting vulnerable populations. At this time, we see the return to full-time school as a high priority.”

The board “feels it is safest to delay opening of moderate- and high-risk sports for at least another month until rates can further decrease, more vaccinations can occur, and we can gain a better understanding of the new virus variants and their epidemiology.”

However, “if schools choose to allow for high-risk sports, they must follow the (New York state) Department of Health’s Interim Guidance for Sports and Recreation During the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency and the Madison County Board of Health requirements.”

The board’s “Guidance for Higher Risk Sports in Schools” was clear on its stance on wrestling. “Wrestling is particularly problematic, since close contact is inherent to the sport, and masks cannot safely be worn. The Board believes that it is not safe to begin wrestling competitions at this time.”

For those districts that want to allow high-risk sports, the board issued requirements and recommendations. Those districts’ Boards of Education (or private schools’ Boards of Directors) must grant approval for each specific sport.

And each superintendent must oversee creation of a sport-specific preparedness plan.

The county also outlined community-wide COVID metrics to determine if sports should be suspended or shut down.

The board also recommnded that, when feasible, districts should consider weekly COVID-19 testing for each athlete, coach, manager, official or other individual associated with high-risk sports. “Sports-related travel outside the (central New York) and Mohawk Valley Region is strongly discouraged.”

The board also suggested districts a pledge signed by coaches and athletes stating that “what team members do outside of practice and games can affect their teammates, opponents, and their community. Their actions can directly impact the future of the sports season.”

CVA makes its decision

“We are hopeful that our COVID cases continue to trend downward to a point where we can resume higher-risk sports in the near future,” said Central Valley Superintendent Jeremy Rich in the district’s statement on its website.

Herkimer County has issued guidelines to enable higher-risk winter sports such as basketball, volleyball, wrestling and competitive cheerleading to begin if COVID-19 positivity rates decrease and remain below 3.5%.

The challenge, said Rich, is that the county’s COVID rates have spiked and are “still higher than most other counties in New York.” On Jan. 27, Herkimer County’s 14-day rolling average positivity rate was 8.6%.”

Garrett Olds, Central Valley sports and eligibility coordinator, is meeting with other athletic directors and coordinators to develop the district’s sports reopening plan for county review.

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