High school wrestling tourneys linked to dozens of COVID cases

OLYMPIA — Health authorities in Washington state say nearly 100 COVID-19 cases have been linked to recent high school wrestling tournaments.

The Department of Health, along with local health jurisdictions, started by investigating several outbreaks among unvaccinated and vaccinated people. Between 80 to 90 cases have been linked to the tournaments that happened. Dec. 4.

They were the John Birbeck Invitational in Lacey; Yelm Girls Varsity in Yelm, Washington; Ed Arima Duals in Sumner; and the Lady Jags Kickoff Tournament in Puyallup.

The state health department said counties that had high schools at the tournaments were Clark, Cowlitz, Grays Harbor, King, Kitsap, Lewis, Mason, Skagit, Snohomish, Pierce, Thurston, Whatcom and Yakima.

There was also one Oregon high school with participants.

Authorities say anyone who attended the tournaments should monitor for symptoms and get tested for COVID-19. Anyone with symptoms or who tests positive should stay home.

Officials say they will send out notifications to those directly impacted soon.