DEPOSIT/HANCOCK CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICTS
Eagles Athletics Reset
Athletics Reopening 2020-2021
January 28, 2021
Dear Parents/Guardians,
The Midstate Athletic Conference has postponed the start of its high-risk winter sports programs until February 8, pending Delaware County’s rolling seven-day positivity rate for Coronavirus.
Delaware County Public Health announced Thursday that high-risk winter sports – basketball, volleyball and wrestling – cannot resume locally until the county’s seven-day rolling positivity rate for Coronavirus is at or below 4.0 percent. On Thursday, Delaware County’s rolling seven-day positivity rate was 5.9 percent.
“The guidance document has been shared with local school districts,” DCPH Director Amanda Walsh, MPH, said in a statement posted on the DCPH website. “We recognize this is frustrating and disappointing to our student-athletes, school districts and the communities that support their teams. The primary role of the agency is to protect public health, especially during the ongoing pandemic.”
The announcement goes on to state: “If the 7-day rolling average positivity is above 4.0%, activities must be restricted to individual or distanced group training or organized no/low-contact group training.
“This approach is consistent with CDC guidance for school decision-makers, which recommends that high-contact school athletic activities be postponed during periods with substantial or high levels of COVID-19 transmission in the community.”
Earlier this month, Governor Cuomo and the New York State Department of Health approved a February 1 start date for high school sports defined by the NYSDOH as “high risk.”
High-risk sports are characterized by:
- Least ability to maintain physical distance and/or be done individually;
- Least ability to (1) avoid touching of shared equipment, (2) clean and disinfect equipment between uses by different individuals, or (3) not use shared equipment at all.
Current conditions are subject to change at any time. Our decision making will be informed by updates and guidance provided by various NYS and local agencies, including the NYSDOH, Delaware County Public Health, the New York State Public High School Athletics Association (NYSPHSAA), Section IV Athletics, and the MAC.
Thank you,
Matt Mastropietro, Deposit Athletic Director Ann Messenger, Hancock Athletic Coordinator
607-467-8515 607- 637-1333
Posted 1/29/2021