Sep 4, 2020Survey from NJ Athletic Trainers Show Impact of COVID-19
A state-wide survey in the Garden State showed that a third of New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA) member schools have reported at least one potential COVID-19 case.
According to an article from MyCentralJersey.com, 152 licensed athletic trainers from the state that conducted voluntary conditioning sessions over the summer were surveyed. The research showed that 51 schools reported a potential COVID-19 case while 28 schools identified a positive COVID-19 case through the state’s mandated screening process, the article read.
Furthermore, the survey found that 36 schools (23 percent) had a reason to stop the summer conditioning sessions while 19 schools (12 percent) followed through with shutting down an individual sports team due to the coronavirus COVID-19 exposure.
The survey was part of a 22-page PowerPoint presentation by the Athletic Trainers’ Society of New Jersey, a professional organization composed of athletic trainers and other health care professionals, according to MyCentralJersey.com. Covering roughly 30,000 student-athletes in the survey, they found 54 summer workout participants to have tested positive for COVID-19 — a 0.0018 positivity rate.
“This data suggests that we need to continue to be vigilant as we move forward getting back to some semblance of normalcy with athletic participation in the secondary school setting,” ATSNJ President Kevin Briles, the athletic trainer at Delsea High School, told USA TODAY NETWORK New Jersey. “These schools are looking toward the NJSIAA for direction to maintain a safe environment for athletes in New Jersey. We are more than happy to collaborate with the NJSIAA to support them in continuing to develop these policies and procedures.”
“We are encouraged that due to the preparation of school districts across the state, along with guidance from the NJSIAA, high school athletics in New Jersey has quickly adapted its processes to best address the needs of student-athletes during this unprecedented time,” Briles said.
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According to New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy, fall sports in the Garden State will go on as planned, with official practices beginning on September 14 and games starting as early as September 28.
To read the full article from MyCentralJersey.com on the survey by the New Jersey athletic trainers and the state’s journey back to the fall sports, click here.
