The CDC recently issued a study on a Mulberry High wrestling tournament that turned into a coronavirus superspreader event and led to one death.
Polk County public schools announced a pause in athletics in December, days after a wrestling tournament turned into a superspreader event that was recently cited in a CDC study.
On Wednesday, the county announced it would limit attendance at athletic events for the remainder of the school year in an effort to help slow the spread of disease.
Currently, attendance at athletic events is capped at 50 percent. Beginning Feb. 1, attendance will be further reduced depending on venue.
Polk school district to slash game attendance to 25% following CDC superspreader report
Matthew McClellan reports
BARTOW, Fla. - Polk County public school officials announced Wednesday they will be cutting attendance at games and other athletic events starting Monday, Feb. 1. The pandemic continues to pose a very serious health risk. At this time, it’s the right call to reduce attendance at our athletics events to help protect our students, staff, and spectators, said Dan Talbot, PCPS’ senior coordinator of athletics.
According to the district, the new capacity protocols are as follows:
Capacity at indoor events in school gymnasiums will be capped at 25%, or approximately 300 spectators.
Polk County Schools suspends athletic programs due to COVID-19
More than 50 student-athletes have tested positive for COVID-19 in recent weeks
WFTS
and last updated 2020-12-15 13:50:16-05
POLK COUNTY, Fla. â Leaders at Polk County Public Schools have made the decision to temporarily suspend all athletics programs due to the spread of coronavirus.
The suspension of athletic programs is effective immediately.
All practices and competitions are canceled until Jan. 4, said Senior Coordinator of Athletics, Dan Talbot.
More than 50 student-athletes participating in winter sports have tested positive for COVID-19 in recent weeks, according to a release from Polk County Schools.
âRight now, we have cases among cheerleaders, basketball and soccer players, wrestlers and weight lifters,â said Scott Sjoblom, COVID Response Section Chief with the Florida Department of Health in Polk County.
Polk County Public Schools temporarily suspends athletics due to COVID-19 pandemic Share Updated: 11:12 AM EST Dec 15, 2020 Coronavirus Image Share Updated: 11:12 AM EST Dec 15, 2020 Polk County Public Schools is temporarily suspending all athletics programs in response to the coronavirus pandemic, according to school officials.“We have reached this decision in close collaboration with the Florida Department of Health in Polk County. Coronavirus cases are on the rise in our county. We must do everything we can to limit exposure and safeguard our students and community,” Superintendent Jacqueline Byrd said.At the start of the 2020-21 school year, PCPS implemented the following precautions in its athletics programs, according to school officials:Limited attendance at athletic competitions to allow for social distancing.Required spectators to wear face coverings.Posted signs at athletic venues reminding spectators not to attend athletic ev