OCPS to test all football players, coaches for COVID-19

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — Orange County Public Schools plans to test all of their high school football teams weekly for COVID-19.

Each player, coach and athletic director will be given a rapid test beginning next week, and will continue throughout the football season.

Coaches were told about the plan this morning. They were also told that if someone refuses to be tested, they will not be allowed to play.

In an email, the district told Eyewitness News that it will consult with the Orange County Health Department to determine how many positive tests will result in a game, or games, being canceled.

“There’s no playbook that says ... ‘This is how a large school district handles a pandemic,’” said Chris Dumond, a football parent. “It’s being written day to day.”

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Dumond said he and his son already know this season is on thin ice.

“I think they truly understand that it’s not going to take much to cancel this football season, and so everyone kinda realizes that with the first game around the corner next week,” he said.

At that first game, the stands won’t be packed like usual because the district is only giving each athlete two tickets.

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