The state Department of Health announced a coronavirus outbreak connected to the 48th Louisiana Classic wrestling tournament last week in Gonzales, saying the department has received more than 20 reports of athletes, employees and participants testing positive for COVID-19.
Approximately 400 fighters participated in the two-day event at the Lamar-Dixon Expo Center.
The authorities said that anyone who attended the tournament on any of the days should consider themselves exposed to the virus and get tested immediately, even if they are showing no symptoms.
They added that all individuals who participated in the tournament must be quarantined to prevent further spread.
Photos and videos of the tournament made by The Advocate show that social distance was not being imposed and, although some spectators wore masks, many did not.
A senior LHSAA official issued a memo on Friday to all LHSAA wrestling schools, stating that several student-athletes involved in the tournament had recently tested positive for COVID-19.
In the meantime, some LHSAA wrestling events were taking place as scheduled this weekend.
“Obviously, this is extremely complicated,” said Deputy Executive Director Adam MacDowell on Friday night, before LDH released its guidance. “As soon as I receive the LDH documents, I will send them to member schools for further guidance.”
In the meantime, said MacDowell, who wrote the memo and coordinates the LHSAA fight, some fighting events continued.
“What we are advising at the moment, without having additional communication with LDH, is that each individual school and school program contact their local regional health director and pass on their protocols if they participated in that tournament (Louisiana Classic),” said MacDowell. “I know that there are a number of meetings and tournaments that have been canceled. But I also know that some are still at stake ”.
LHSAA’s advice to schools to contact local health department officials is consistent with the protocol that started during the summer, when member schools started playing autumn sports after last spring’s blockade that underpinned all spring sports in the country. LHSAA.
Although volleyball, football, soccer and basketball competitions were canceled due to COVID cases or contact seeking, the majority involved a small number of schools. The Louisiana Classic featured schools from across the state. Spectators were only allowed on the second day, when fewer competitors were involved.
MacDowell cited John Curtis as an example of a school that is moving forward with its Saturday wrestling tournament. MacDowell said Curtis officials told him that they contacted local health officials and were cleared to compete. The Lafayette Parish Wrestling Duals also took place on Saturday, as scheduled.