As Turlock Unified School District prepares for the return of football next week, a robust COVID testing regimen has been adapted so that teams can meet guidelines set forth by the state and remain safe while playing.
On Tuesday, Stanislaus County fell below the adjusted daily case rate of 14 or fewer per 100,000 residents which was previously required in order for high- and moderate-contact outdoor sports to be played, dropping down to 13.6. However, updated guidelines released by the state last week following a lawsuit in San Diego specify that all sports teams can return to play no matter their county’s daily case rate, as long as they adhere to the stricter requirements in place for college teams.
One of those requirements is the regular testing of athletes and support staff in order to prevent any COVID outbreaks. With Central California Athletic League football play set to begin next week, weekly testing is already underway for players at Turlock and Pitman high schools. For indoor sports like volleyball, baseline testing and ongoing screening testing must be completed on a regular basis. The CCAL is looking into the viability of scheduling indoor sports, but football is scheduled and the first games will be played next Friday.
Continue Reading on Turlock Journal
