Student tests positive for virus

Football practice for the 2020-21 school year at Ellsworth Junior/Senior High School has been pushed back to at least Wednesday, Aug. 26, after a student athlete tested positive for COVID-19.

A news release this past weekend from Superintendent Dale Brungardt said the district was notified by the Ellsworth County Health Department based on test results received Aug. 15.

The news also delays the start of the football season because the Bearcats will not be able to meet the required days of practice prior to the first scheduled games. As a result, the Sept. 4 and Sept. 8 varsity and junior varsity games with Sacred Heart have been canceled, district officials said.

Brungardt said the student who tested positive participated in a high school football camp Tuesday, Aug. 11.

Per county and district policy, this student and family have been directed to self-quarantine until permitted to return,” according to the news release.

The quarantine also applies to other members of the high school football team. The quarantine period ends Aug 25, making Aug. 26 the first viable practice date, Brungardt said.

The first practice was originally set for Aug. 17.

“In the meantime, know that USD 327 will continue with our safety and health protocols. These will include masks, face shields, sanitizing hands, wiping down equipment and other sanitizing processes,” Brungardt said.

This is the second EJSHS student to test positive. Earlier this summer, a junior high school student in the conditioning program was forced to quarantine.

The start of classes has been postponed to Sept. 3 to give the district more time for training and planning.

As of the most recent numbers Aug. 17 from the Ellsworth County Health Department, there have been 24 positive cases of COVID-19 with three of them still active. None have required hospitalization.