DOH updates COVID testing guidance in wake of outbreaks

The Washington State Department of Health announced Friday new health and safety requirements for high-contact indoor winter sports in the wake of COVID-19 outbreaks statewide linked to high school wrestling tournaments. 

Effective immediately, all athletes, coaches and other personnel for basketball, wrestling, competitive cheer, and water polo are required to complete COVID-19 testing three times per week, regardless of vaccination status. One test must be conducted at least 24 hours before a contest. 

Previous guidance required only unvaccinated athletes be tested twice per week. Woodland athletic director Paul Huddleston told The Columbian that before Friday, the Beavers were testing 70 percent of their athletes across basketball, testing and cheer since winter sports began Nov. 15. 

Friday’s announcement from DOH comes one day after Clark County Public Health recommended all Clark County high schools pause wrestling activities until after winter break due to high COVID-19 cases and exposures from recent out-of-area wrestling tournaments.

As of Friday afternoon, 33 local wrestlers at five area high schools tested positive for COVID-19 from tournaments held Dec. 4, said Clark County Public Health spokesperson Marissa Armstrong. Statewide, DOH said Thursday nearly 100 cases were traced to four wrestling tournaments Dec. 4. None were held in Clark County.

“By pausing wrestling activities for two weeks,” Armstrong said, “we hope to interrupt virus transmission and slow the spread of COVID-19 within the wrestling teams and the community.”

DOH also used Friday’s announcement to send a reminder that existing requirements for all K-12 sporting events help keep athletes, staff and families safer while at events. That includes spectators wearing masks at indoor events. Masks also remain a requirement for athletes, coaches and other personnel except when actively competing.