Orange County’s top health official said Tuesday, Nov. 17, that the county expects California this week to release “modified guidance” for high school and youth sports competition.
Speaking at a press conference about the county’s response to the coronavirus pandemic, Dr. Clayton Chau, director of the Orange County Health Care Agency, shared a timeline for the guidelines in response to a question regarding Gov. Gavin Newsom’s announcement Monday about high school and youth sports.
Newsom said the state is considering delaying its guidance to allow high school and youth sports competition because of the rise of coronavirus cases.
“The state was ready to issue an updated guidance as it relates to youth sports sometime this week, but because of the purple tier, and the movement back into the purple tier due to case rises all over the state, there is a delay, so we are expecting some time this week that the state will issue the modified guidance,” Chau said.
Orange County was one of the counties placed in the purple tier (widespread risk).
Newsom said Monday the state has “put a lot of work” into the high school and youth sports guidelines.
Since Aug. 3, high school and youth sports in the state have been limited to physical conditioning and skill training and prohibited from competition. But Dr. Mark Ghaly, secretary of California’s Health and Human Service Agency, has said an update would arrive “soon.”
“We’re obviously looking forward to seeing the updated guidance so we know what we can do and when we can do it,” Ron Nocetti, director of the CIF State office, said Tuesday.
Mark Cunningham, athletic director of the Irvine Unified School District, said he is disappointed by the delay in receiving guidance but encouraged that parameters have been established.
“I would love to see what they look like,” Cunningham said. “Because Gov. Newsom played basketball and baseball in high school, I am hopeful he understands how important it is for our athletes to have something to look forward to.”
Chau also addressed how last week Irvine served as one of the satellite sites for USA Swimming’s U.S. Open. The downsized meet at the Woollett Aquatics Center attracted about 240 swimmers from California, Nevada, Arizona, Colorado, New York and Virginia, and used a timed-finals format or pre-assigned lanes and heats.
“It was not (a team) competition … but individuals came and they swam against time,” said Chau, who performed an inspection at the three-pool site and reviewed safety plans. “It was done in a very safe environment and safe manner. Everything was outdoor, and therefore we approved it.
“I don’t think we went anything against the state guidance. Currently, individuals can (participate in activities) … for skill training as well as personal strength training, so we viewed it as such.”
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