WEST BEND — The Washington County executive says a local youth football coach who was both symptomatic and positive exposed his players and coaches to COVID-19 last week.
County Executive Josh Schoemann said in a news release Monday that the Kewaskum Gridiron Youth Football league immediately relieved the coach of his duties. The league's commissioner says their policy "is in strict adherence" to and in some cases stricter than WIAA guidelines that have been implemented. The club also assessed close contacts through video of the scrimmage against Hartford.
The coach attended a practice and a scrimmage with symptoms and while waiting for his test results, Schoemann explained.
The county health department says it's unclear if the virus spread, and it may take until the middle of the week to find out.
Schoemann says he has not found anyone who agrees with the coach's decision to attend practice while COVID-19 positive.
“Individuals who blatantly ignore the Trump Administration and CDC guidelines play right into the hands of those who want to see our economy, schools and sports shut down. Every outbreak begins with a sick person not staying home. The vast majority of our citizens are doing this," said Schoemann.
“Washington County will not be issuing orders or heavy handed government orders. We trust organizations, such as the gridiron club, to appropriately apply CDC guidelines for close contact,” according to Schoemann.
The coach was not named by Schoemann.
Anyone who may have been exposed to this coach is asked to be tested by calling their health care provider, visiting a regional community testing site or calling the health department at 262-284-8170.
