Chaparral High School has canceled four football games after a player tested positive for COVID-19. The Scottsdale Unified School District has asked other JV and varsity players, coaches and staff to quarantine for 14 days.
The player who tested positive last attended football practice on Friday, Sept. 25, is now in isolation, the district said.
The high school's upcoming JV and varsity games against Saguaro and Sandra Day O’Connor high schools have been canceled. Chaparral’s freshman football team will be allowed to continue with games and activities since it has not had close contact with the other teams.
“We feel so badly for the affected students that they will not be able to partake in their regular activities during this isolation period,” said Scott A. Menzel, the district's superintendent. “However, this does serve as a sharp reminder that in order to keep our schools and extracurricular activities open, we must have the strong cooperation from all families, students and staff to monitor their health, recognize and report symptoms, and stay at home when sick or when a family member is sick.”
Chaparral is working in conjunction with Maricopa County Department of Public Health to conduct contact tracing to help identify any others who may have been exposed to the virus through close contact with the student athlete.
The Arizona Interscholastic Association has outlined steps it recommends before players can return to full activity after a COVID-19 diagnosis, such as cardiac screening.
Meanwhile, Maricopa High School is starting its football season on Thursday. In-person spectators are limited, but other fans will be able to watch the game for free on YouTube. The game will be replayed on Cox YurView Channel 4 Phx/7 Tucson on Saturday morning at 10 a.m. There will also be a postgame wrap up on the JV Sports Show Radio Show Saturday morning from 9-10 a.m. on 1060 AM KDUS.
