Mandatory COVID-19 testing for high-risk sports — which only included boys lacrosse this spring — is no longer required, as per Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone, who released updated guidance for high school sports from the Suffolk County Department of Health Services on April 23.
In a press release, Bellone said the decision was made, “based on the decreasing positivity rate for COVID-19 in Suffolk County, the increasing rate of vaccination, and the eligibility for the COVID-19 vaccine having been expanded to those 16 years of age and over, as well as the ability to practice and play outdoors.”
The county health department still recommends weekly testing, and encourages athletic programs to provide opportunities for their student-athletes who meet the requirements to get vaccinated. The county, the press release stated, will continue to provide test kits to those districts that request them for boys lacrosse.
Since February 1, the county has distributed 80,000 test kits for high-risk sports. Additionally, the county executive’s office and health department are coordinating with the Suffolk County Police Department’s MedCAT unit to pilot a vaccine clinic for student-athletes and other student groups next week, beginning with Center Moriches School District.
“As a parent, I understood just how important it was to get our kids back out on the field, and over the last few months our student athletes and coaches have proven that with the right protocols in place, all sports can be played in a safe manner,” Bellone said. “From the onset of this pandemic, we have followed the data, and with the lowest positivity rate, we have seen in months and increasing vaccinations, the health department will no longer be requiring weekly testing for student athletes. Ultimately, the vaccine is the tool that will enable us to win this war, and we will be working with our local districts to ensure students have access to the COVID-19 vaccine.”
After going through strenuous winter and fall seasons the past few months, Westhampton Beach Athletic Director Kathy Masterson was relieved when she found out that the county had dropped the mandatory testing.
“I’m extremely happy about it,” she said. “The county, I feel, has done a great job in working with us to get back on the courts, the mats and the fields. Seeing the downward tick that has happened in the past couple of weeks, I’m glad to see that they revisited and reevaluated, and if we need to go back to it we can go back to it.”
Masterson said the mandatory testing would have hindered her boys lacrosse program, and those involved in the sport around Suffolk County felt the same way.
“Even though the lacrosse world is but a mere microcosm as it relates to the pandemic and its negative impact, we strongly agreed that this was a necessary step in helping these young men who have already lost so much attempt to regain a bit of normalcy,” Desmond Megna, president of the Suffolk County Lacrosse Coaches Association, said in the press release. “We applaud the county office and Executive Bellone, who allowed us our moment, listened with open minds, and acted in the best interest of the student athletes whilst maintaining a sufficient amount of safety in these still troubling times. We also welcome the chance to pilot programs that we believe are aimed to both improve our communities well being, as well as connect different agencies with our youth.”
