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Seneca Valley suspends high school football workouts after player possibly exposed to COVID-19

BUTLER CO., Pa. — Seneca Valley School District has suspended football workouts after a high school player was possibly exposed to COVID-19.

Head football coach Ron Butschle told our partners at TribLIVE.com the team is awaiting test results of the student who attended practice on Monday.

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Channel 11 spoke to an infectious disease doctor with the UPMC who cautions a player can test negative today, but test positive tomorrow.

“A test result gives you a result in one point in time. But remember, the incubation period is up to 14 days,” said Dr. Dave Weber.

Weber suggests a two-week quarantine regardless of what results are obtained from COVID-19 tests. He also said it depends on the amount of exposure.

“We consider significant exposure within 6 feet of somebody for greater than 15 minutes,” he said.

If the results do come back positive, the Raiders football team will continue to quarantine for 14 days.

“If none of the players and coaches develop symptoms in that 14 days, they can return,” Weber said.

Seneca Valley is the second WPIAL football team this week to shut down workouts.

Mount Lebanon has canceled practice until Sept. 1 because a player tested positive for COVID-19.

Allegheny County's health department reported more cases related to school programs.

Since May, it has identified about 50 COVID-19 cases among students and staff involved in a variety of school programs across several districts.

Weber expects there will be an increase in positive cases within youth sports.

“We are going to see more of this stuff happen, especially with younger people. Without a doubt, we are going to see more of this, particularly in football,” he said.

Seneca Valley has already canceled its Sept. 4 scrimmage with Pine Richland and its first regular-season game, Sept. 11, against North Allegheny.

You can read the full statement from the Seneca Valley school district regarding the situation below:

“The Seneca Valley Athletic Department and District Administration are currently following the Pennsylvania Department of Health (PADOH) protocols as it relates to a possible exposure to COVID-19 by a player on the Seneca Valley Raider Varsity Football Team.

For this reason, Seneca Valley is suspending practice starting today, Tuesday, Aug. 25.

Additionally, because of various disruptions to the football practice schedule throughout the month of August, the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association (PIAA) Rules stipulate that Seneca Valley must cancel the Sept. 4 scrimmage date against Pine Richland, and the Sept. 11 opening game against North Allegheny. The NA regular season game will be recorded as a “no contest.”

“We understand the disappointment felt by our football athletes; however, it’s important that we adhere to the guidelines established to keep our students, coaches and community safe during this time,” said Ms. Heather Lewis, Seneca Valley Athletic Director. “We look forward to getting back out on the field soon.”

Players will be updated on a return-to-practice date once those details are decided by the PADOH and Seneca Valley.”