On Monday, RHS officials postponed girls’ summer workouts for two weeks due to an undisclosed athlete testing positive for the COVID-19 virus. The athletes will be re-evaluated upon their return.
RHS Athletic Director Jacob Campsey said he was informed about the COVID case last weekend and took the necessary precautions.
“We knew there was a possibility that this could happen,” Campsey said. “The best thing to do was postpone the workouts. We will still check every kid’s temperature and have them fill out the screening forms before they can participate in workouts.”
He said, the boys’ workouts will remain as scheduled.
Despite the rising number of COVID-19 cases in Texas, the University Interscholastic League decided to ease the restrictions on sport-specific instruction, after one week of summer strength and conditioning workouts.
The 20 to one student-to-staff ratio was lifted with the June 9 update.
On June 22, schools have the option of increasing their indoor workout capacity to 50 percent, a 25 percent increase from the current capacity allowance.
Indoor group sizes may now consist of 15 athletes maximum, five more than allotted at the opening of the season, according to the UIL. The outdoor group maximum has been raised to as many as 25 total athletes, 10 more than the current allowance.
“I think it’s important for the UIL to monitor the situation,” Campsey said. “I understand that COVID cases are on the rise, and we have to move at a gradual pace in order to keep the kids safe.”
As of Tuesday, Milam County reported its 48th COVID-19 infection. There are 11 active cases in the county and 50 people are being monitored, according to County Judge Steve Young. He said he anticipates more cases.
“The capacity for the weight room is currently nine people,” Campsey said. “We’ve been bringing weights outside of the weight room for the guys to use.”
This is six below the UIL recommended 15-person limit inside of weight rooms.
“We’ll reevaluate if we’re going to change anything, but we’ll probably keep it at that number,” he said.
Although equipment disinfection has been downgraded from a requirement to a strong suggestion, the coaching staff continued to adhere to safety precautions.
During workouts, athletes were six-feet apart and all the equipment was sanitized. Coaches not only reminded the athletes to keep their distance from one another but wiped off footballs and other equipment that was used after each repetition.
All other UIL restrictions such as the prohibition of sharing food and water and the inaccessibility to locker rooms and laundry facilities remained in place.
The UIL-implemented restrictions came in response to COVID-19 pandemic. The league has stated it dedicated itself to maintaining the safety of athletes statewide while allowing them to begin summer workouts and sport-specific instruction.
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