OLYMPIA — The state Department of Health has updated COVID-19 safety requirements for high contact indoor sports after the discovery of a multi-county outbreak traced to high school wrestling tournaments held Dec. 4, mostly in Pierce County.
The outbreak is linked to an estimated 200 positive COVID cases, at least three involved the presence of the omicron variant.
North Olympic Peninsula teams didn’t attend the Dec. 4 tournaments, but area teams have since wrestled against squads that were present at those events. Recent testing has confirmed at least 11 cases amongst the four area wrestling teams.
Effective immediately, the state has switched to the following safety measures for basketball, wrestling, water polo and competitive cheer:
• Required testing of all athletes, coaches, trainers and support personnel, regardless of vaccination status.
• Increased testing frequency to three times per week. Among those screening tests, at least one must occur no sooner than the day before the competition; ideally, and whenever possible, the day of the event.
Current requirements for spectators will remain.
All indoor event spectators must wear masks and should distance from other families or households to the degree possible; mask wearing is required among all athletes, coaches, trainers and support personnel in indoor public spaces except when actively competing; referees must wear masks except when actively officiating and running.
“Omicron is a game-changer, but we know layered prevention measures slow the spread of COVID-19 in sports, schools and communities.” said Lacy Fehrenbach, Deputy Secretary for the COVID-19 response. “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.”
North Olympic Peninsula schools have already canceled/postponed several wrestling and basketball competitions over the past two weeks either due to COVID-19 issues within teams or opponents, or due to the Dec. 4 wrestling outbreak.
All four area teams — Forks, East Jefferson, Sequim and Port Angeles — are scheduled to compete at Port Angeles’ Battle for the Axe on Jan. 8.
