KDHE Secretary Dr. Lee Norman says he believes sports are likely to fail in the fall due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

 

There have been 63 sports-related cases of COVID-19 in Kansas since the start of the pandemic. Norman said that the number doesn't seem like a lot, but there are fewer sports in the summer than in the fall. He also said there have been cases in all sports that have had a season over the course of the pandemic. This includes sports that officials believed had "natural protection" against the virus, such as baseball and softball.

 

Norman said he thinks KSHSAA's recent decision to continue on with fall sports as planned will be a problem as cases continue to be called in. He said there will be "fits and starts" caused by rising case counts. Norman continues to advocate for masks as the number one way to protect oneself against the virus.

 

There have been a few sports-related cases of COVID-19 in southeast Kansas. Most recently, USD 446 in Independence reported a student tested positive after participating in a voluntary summer weights and conditioning program.