Hempfield golf team member tests positive for covid-19

A Hempfield student-athlete recently tested positive for covid-19, according to a letter written by Superintendent Tammy Wolicki.

District officials were informed of the positive case by the student’s parents Monday. The student, who was not named, is part of the district’s golf team, Wolicki said.

After district officials were informed of the case, they were in contact with the state Department of Health. According to the letter, the department investigated the case and, on Tuesday, recommended that the individual who tested positive and a few others who were in close contact with that person quarantine themselves.

It was not immediately clear if those individuals were students or staff, or how many were asked to quarantine.

The quarantine is not recommended for all members of the golf team, “as golf is an outdoor sport, the athletes do not share equipment, and social distancing was maintained for nearly all students,” Wolicki said.

An athletic health and safety plan created earlier this year states that, if a student or staff member shows coronavirus symptoms during practice or while being transported to or from an event, efforts must be made to isolate the individual, parents will be immediately contacted and the person will be asked to contact their doctor.

Students who test positive for the virus, per the plan, must have medical clearance to return to sporting events.

Golf team parents were informed of the potential exposure, Wolicki said. Golf practices, which were initially canceled, will resume Thursday.

According to Wolicki, information regarding the case was “shared as there may be future situations in which entire teams are quarantined due to increased exposure of a contact sport, indoors, and/or shared equipment.”

Students, parents and staff are reminded to wash their hands regularly, avoid coughing or sneezing into hands or in the air and to wear face coverings. School is scheduled to begin Thursday through a hybrid model, or a mix of in-person and online classes.

“We are closely monitoring this situation and will continue to implement and reinforce safety measures in this regard,” Wolicki said.