JOHNSTOWN — Fulton County government has joined other counties in approving higher risk sports guidelines during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The county issued a news release indicating that since Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s recent announcement regarding the potential to allow higher risk high school sports activities, counties across the state have been scrambling to implement the governor’s directives.
On Jan. 28, Fulton County Public Health Director Laurel Headwell conveyed approved guidelines to school superintendents in the county.
The release said the guidelines are in accordance with those approved in other counties throughout the region in order to promote safe activities and procedures for students, school staff, parents and the community. School administrators and local school boards can now proceed with establishing school protocols to include higher risk sports for their students, the release said.
Once established, schools are also restrained by certain community COVID metrics such as: A seven-day rolling average percent positivity rate at or below 4 percent within the county; and a regional hospital capacity (percent of hospital beds available) above 15 percent, as calculated by the state Department of Health.
County officials said it is anticipated that it will take school districts through the state some time to develop their plans, transition to the new school procedures and commence team practices and group training.
The guidelines indicated they are effective Feb. 1.
