A Junction City School District post on the district’s website made Thursday morning reported two confirmed COVID-19 cases within the athletic department.
The post goes on to say that all extracurricular activities will be stopped until August 17, effective immediately.
“As soon as (football) coach (Brad) Smith notified me, I notified the Department of Health,”Junction City Superintendent Robby Lowe said. “We don’t know if it was transmitted at school or elsewhere. The only logical thing we could do as a district was to stop all extracurricular activities out of an abundance of caution. We’re being as proactive as we can.”
The post asks that students who participated in varsity football practice on Monday and Tuesday be observant for possible COVID-19 symptoms. It says possible close contact information has been relayed to the Arkansas Department of Health, which is currently conducting contact tracing.
“This pause is precautionary,” the JCSD post reads, going on to ask that students who do display symptoms of the virus be tested.
If a player does test positive, parents are asked to contact JCSD coaches so the information can be relayed to the ADH.
Contact tracers may call those who have been exposed to the virus from either of the following numbers: 877-272-6819 or 833-283-2019.
Junction City won the 2A state championship in 2018 and was the state-runner up in 2019.
The Dragons are slated to host Harmony Grove on Aug. 28 in their season opener.
With all extracurricular activities shut down, Junction City’s golf matches against Camden Fairview that were slated for Thursday and Aug. 11 are postponed.
The next match for the golf team is scheduled for after the stoppage Aug. 19 against Harmony Grove and Parkers Chapel.