High school athlete tests positive for COVID-19

Beaumont ISD reports that a West Brook High School football player who has been participating in group practice on campus tested positive this week for COVID-19.

In an email from district spokesperson Hannah LeTulle sent around midnight June 25, BISD issued the following statement:

“On June 24, 2020, Beaumont ISD received notice that a West Brook football player assigned to the 9:30-11:30 a.m. skill positions practice tested positive for COVID-19. The student last participated on Monday, June 22, and all students that joined in the small group and practice time slot with the student identified as positive for COVID-19 have received individual notices of potential exposure.

“In accordance with UIL guidelines, Beaumont ISD has implemented rigorous health screening, social distancing and sanitization practices for all student workouts, including screening of staff and student temperatures, cleaning of all objects between each student’s use and limited sharing of equipment. As such, CDC guidance provides that the risk of students contracting COVID-19 from the infected student is low. Nevertheless, in order to safeguard the health and safety of our student-athletes, all West Brook football practice will be suspended until June 29, 2020 to deep clean the limited areas football players had access to including the field house restrooms and weight room. In addition, all students that participated in the 9:30-11:30 a.m. skill positions practice will be excluded from workouts until July 6, 2020, in an abundance of caution.

 “Please be aware, the facilities utilized by the West Brook football team were not used for any other summer training program and there is no risk of exposure to students outside the West Brook football program. While all student-athletes are permitted to participate in summer strength conditioning and skills training, participation in summer workouts is strictly voluntary and the health and safety of our students and community is our top priority. We appreciate your cooperation as we work through these challenges and continue to support our Beaumont ISD community.”