Columbia Central suspends football practice due to COVID-19 case

Special to SM-TN Sports

Maury County Public Schools Athletic Director Chris Poynter and Columbia Central football coach Jason Hoath have suspended football practice due to a recent Covid-19 case.

On Saturday, June 13, Hoath was contacted by a parent with concerns about one of the CHS Football players having direct contact with someone who has Covid-19. As a precautionary measure, football practice was canceled by staff, coaches, and the athletic director for Monday, June 15, pending the test results of the student athlete. 

Test results came in late Sunday evening from the student athlete who was in contact, that he tested positive for Covid-19. With this new information, football practice was immediately suspended until after the TSSAA mandated Dead Period, currently from June 21 to July 5.

This will allow more than the 14 days of quarantine recommended by the CDC. The locker rooms and training facilities have been thoroughly cleaned allowing other sports teams to continue their athletic practices. 

The guidelines for return to athletics and band help keep student athletes and band members safe by implementing social distancing, requiring masks, and daily temperature checks, among other safety measures. Masks are required when social distance requirements are compromised. Every effort was taken to ensure the health and safety of student athletes and band members. Each day coaches and staff inquire how the student athletes and band members feel and are directed to send them home should they believe they acted or looked ill or had a temperature above 100.4. 

MCPS Athletic Department has notified leaders, students, and families while maintaining confidentiality that a participant has developed Covid-19 and may have been infectious to others while at a sports related activity. MCPS is dedicated to keeping our school community updated whenever there is a positive case of Covid-19, while at the same time keeping all names confidential, and would appreciate everyone respecting the privacy of any individuals involved. Details of the student athletes and band return to practice guidelines can be found under the Students/Parents, Pupil Services, District Athletics and Arts page at mauryk12.org

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