School sports will be delayed under Governor Roy Cooper’s Phase 2 Executive Order 141. Cooper’s health team recommended extending Phase Two until at least Sept. 11 for several reasons.
Positive COVID-19 tests are rising daily, so the percentage of positive cases remains high. Hospitalizations for COVID-19 are rising and emergency room visits for COVID-19 like illnesses are increasing. There is limited hospital space to care for COVID-19 patients.
The North Carolina High School Athletic Association (NCHSAA) released a statement Thursday that it “will review all available options” and will reach out for advice from the Sports Medicine Advisory Committee (SMAC) and the North Carolina Department of Education before announcing a sports calendar for the upcoming school year by Aug. 17.
“We want to play sports during this upcoming school year and are making plans to do so; however, the health and safety of all participants, including coaches and other essential staff, will be a priority as decisions and plans are made,” Commissioner Que Tucker said.
Written by Sandhills Sentinel Journalism Intern Stephanie M. Sellers.
Photo by Sandhills Sentinel Photographer John Patota.
