Update: Siuslaw Football team could receive partial program clearance for vaccinated athletes starting Aug. 26

Aug. 23, 2021 — On Aug. 22, the Siuslaw School District notified the district’s students, staff and families that one or more people on the Siuslaw High School football team have tested positive for COVID-19. The school district is working closely with Lane County Public Health to respond to this news to protect the health of the community.

According to Siuslaw Superintendent Andy Grzeskowiak, each situation calls for different protocols. In this case, the district will follow the following steps:
1. The coaching staff has made electronic notification to all athletes and their families related to the exposure.
2. Any athlete that begins to show any primary signs of COVID-19 infection (fever of 100.4 or greater, chills, new or worsening cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing) should seek medical attention.
3. All football activities are suspended until further notice; and due to the close contact nature of the sport, the general isolation of all athletes is recommended until directed by Lane County Public Health officials.

Lane County Public Health said the best way to prevent the spread of COVID-19 is through vaccinations for those who are eligible, wearing face coverings, physical distancing and to practice good health hygiene habits. Be sure to wash your hands frequently with soap and water, cover your coughs and sneezes, and avoid contact with people who have signs of illness. Get plenty of rest, exercise and eat healthy food.

“We will keep you updated with any new information as it comes out, while meeting the requirements to honor everyone's right to privacy,” Grzeskowiak said.

More information can be found on the Oregon Department of Education’s Ready Schools, Safe Learners page at www.oregon.gov/ode/students-and-family/healthsafety/Pages/Planning-for-the-2020-21-School-Year.aspx and the Oregon Health Authority’s COVID-19 page at healthoregon.org/coronavirus.

UPDATE: Siuslaw Football team could receive partial program clearance for vaccinated athletes

Aug. 25, 2021 — Screening testing for vaccinated players of the Siuslaw High School football team will be scheduled for Thursday, Aug. 26, beginning at 10 a.m. outside the south entry doors of Siuslaw High School.

Vaccinated players must bring their vaccination card or other medical documentation for record keeping.

After a negative BinaxNOW Rapid Test, vaccinated players and coaches may again schedule on- campus conditioning and other related football activities.

With the long duration of some variants, vaccinated athletes do not need to isolate, but should continue to monitor for the onset of symptoms related to COVID-19 for the next several days.

However, unvaccinated athletes do need to continue to isolate for the full 14 day period, as recommended by Lane County Public Health. With the current surge of cases in Lane County, the 10 day isolation option is not available.

The period of isolation for unvaccinated athletes should be through Thursday, Sept. 2, and able to resume normal activities on Friday, Sept. 3.

Siuslaw School District is working closely with Lane County Public Health to respond to this news to protect the health of the community. People can contact Lane County Public Health at 541-682-1380 on the COVID-19 Hotline if they have any questions related to the isolation period guidelines.

Full football team activities can resume on Sept. 3 after the primary isolation of unvaccinated players has been completed, without the development of any further positive cases amongst the team.