Add Valparaiso High School to the list of schools that had to suspend summer conditioning for a sport due to the presence of COVID-19.
The school released a statement on Wednesday saying that boys basketball conditioning and practice were suspended after a player tested positive for COVID-19.
According to district spokesperson Allison Hadley, the student informed the school on Tuesday of his positive test.
The statement says that the “student is following guidance from the Porter County Health Department. Out of an abundance of caution, it was decided to suspend activities and practices for any student-athletes involved in boys basketball.”
It’s not clear when basketball practices will resume.
On Monday, Kankakee Valley suspended summer conditioning and practices, according to Kankakee Valley football coach James Broyles. Broyles said he was unsure of when practice would resume. Kankakee Valley assistant athletic director Bill Mueller said that a student-athlete tested positive for COVID-19 over the weekend. Mueller was waiting for word from the health department on when it might be safe to resume athletic activities. KV suspended all sports practices.
“I had hoped to hear today (Wednesday),” Mueller said.
On Wednesday, Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb announced a mask mandate that will go in effect Monday. The order was issued to try to combat the rising number of positive COVID-19 diagnoses. The masks will be required for anyone above third grade in schools and in all public spaces. The Indiana Department of Health reported 763 new positive COVID-19 tests on Wednesday and 14 new deaths.
Last Thursday, Michigan City and the School City of Hammond, which includes Gavit, Clark, Hammond and Morton, stopped summer workouts. Portage had also suspended summer workouts for its students.
The Hammond district still hasn’t approved a reentry to school plan for its students. Hammond Superintendent Scott Miller said a reentry plan will be approved by the board on August 4.
The Gary Community Schools announced Wednesday that they were going to start school virtually and contact sports were suspended.
Earlier this month, the IHSAA established a policy allowing schools to compete in sports even if its an e-learning setting for students.
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