Wake County suspends high school sports activities indefinitely

High school sports in Wake County have been suspended indefinitely because of health concerns due to the coronavirus pandemic, the district told school administrators in an email Friday afternoon.

“After careful review of COVID-19 trends in Wake County and in the state of North Carolina, we have determined that it is not prudent to resume athletic and co-curricular activities at this time, nor for the foreseeable future,” the district said in the email. “Therefore all voluntary workouts and practices are suspended indefinitely.”

High school athletics in the county had been set to resume Monday, before this latest suspension. On its website, the county said it will “revisit the status of athletics, bands and all other co-curricular activities after state officials make recommendations for school re-opening later this month.”

In June, the NCHSAA said schools in the state could resume those activities; however, Wake and other counties in the state elected to wait. While some schools have started working out, it appears it will be some time before that will happen in Wake County.

“A subcommittee for Athletics & Co-Curricular/Band Activities, which consists of Principals, Athletic Directors, Athletic Trainers, Band Directors, Area Superintendents, the WCPSS Athletic Director, WCPSS Director of Arts and others, has been carefully monitoring COVID-19 trends in Wake County and in the state of North Carolina,” the statement on the Wake County Public Schools website said.

“The rise in COVID-19 cases and guidance from state officials would compel us to take extensive precautions to protect student safety should we resume activities, including daily temperature checks and health screenings, as well as strict social distancing rules. This would require additional staff, personal protective equipment and training.

“In light of this, the subcommittee has determined that it is not prudent to resume athletic or co-curricular activities at this time, nor for the foreseeable future.”

As of Friday, at least 81,331 people in North Carolina have tested positive for the coronavirus, and 1,479 have died, according to state health officials.

The N.C. Department of Health and Human Services on Friday reported an additional 1,982 cases of the virus, down from 2,039 reported the day before. The daily case total reported on Thursday was the second-highest since the start of the pandemic.

This story was originally published July 10, 2020 at 7:10 PM.