Lake Zurich District 95 suspends all sports camps after athletes test positive for COVID-19
All Lake Zurich District 95 sports camps have been suspended — and its participants urged to quarantine — after “a number of families” reported that students who participated in football, baseball and poms camps had tested positive for COVID-19.
The district is recommending that all athletes and coaches who participated in the camps, which began Monday at Lake Zurich High School, begin self-quarantining immediately, officials said.
Officials revealed that other Lake Zurich High student-athletes failed the health screening to enter camp or indicated an illness after participating in one of the camps. In addition, other student-athletes were in close contact with students who have tested positive for COVID-19, according to a message signed by Superintendent Kelley Gallt and Athletic Director Andrew Lambert that was posted late Tuesday on the district's website.
“After careful review of all of the information collected, including the possibility of student athletes participating in large gatherings outside of the district's sport camps, a larger circle of potential contacts with exposed individuals has been identified,” the message from administrators said.
District officials said they worked closely with officials from the Lake County Health Department and Illinois Department of Public Health throughout the process.
In a release Wednesday, Lake County Health Department officials noted an upward trend in new COVID-19 cases among teenagers and young adults in the past two weeks while cases among other age groups have remained steady.
“During our case investigations, we are finding that many young people who attended social gatherings with their friends have become infected with COVID-19,” said Dr. Sana Ahmed, medical epidemiologist for the Lake County Health Department. “Youth are just as likely as adults to get and spread this virus, and your risk is higher if you and those you spend time with are not following social distancing, hand-washing, and masking guidelines.
“We ask that everyone continue to take these risks seriously and contact the Health Department if you think you have been exposed. We need your help to keep this virus under control.”
The health department also reported it has been working with Vernon Hills High School officials after one of their students involved in a summer athletic workout group at Vernon Hills High tested positive for COVID-19.
Libertyville High School District 128 officials said Wednesday the student tested positive after the workout group had concluded for the summer, and there is no evidence to suggest the student contracted the virus at the workout group.
While the Lake Zurich sports camps are suspended, health authorities say they will investigate and conduct contact tracing procedures.
“We urge our students, parents, and the entire community to respond immediately if you are contacted by the Lake County Health Department, as time is very critical in our contact tracing process,” Ahmed said. “Our staff is here to provide you with guidance and support. Your assistance in the process helps us slow the spread of COVID-19, protecting your own household and the community.”
Lambert said the Lake Zurich district was notified by the families about the positive COVID-19 tests after the first day of camp.
District 95 has not said how many students have tested positive. In their message to the community, administrators said federal privacy laws prevent the district from sharing the names of the student-athletes or providing “any information that would otherwise lead to the identification of a staff member/student.”