OCPS football players begin rapid COVID-19 testing before games

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — Rapid COVID-19 testing begins Tuesday for all Orange County high school football players.

The district is making athletes, coaches and any other staff members get tested before every game this season.

The district said it’s willing to spend a lot of money on the tests to keep the virus from spreading.

Read: OCPS to test all football players, coaches for COVID-19

It set aside $2 million in funding to make sure it can keep up with testing. The district estimates it will cost $1.5 million to do biweekly tests.

Last week, football families received notices that players will have to be tested before they hit the field.

If a student doesn’t take a test, they need to sit out the game.

If a student tests positive, the district said the player will need to self isolate for 10 days and be symptom-free for 24 hours. The player will not need to provide a negative test.

Read: Here’s how to track COVID-19 cases by Central Florida school districts

It is unclear if a positive test will require other players to sit out a game. It’s also not known how many positive cases it would take to cancel a game.

Parents told Channel 9 they are just hoping their children can take to the field.

“I think everyone’s walking around on eggshells with their fingers crossed, hoping that the season will be able to happen,” said Chris DuMond, a parent.

Read: Orange County Public Schools launches coronavirus dashboard

Orange County Public Schools said it will be in talks with the health department to determine when it would have to cancel a game due to the coronavirus.

Video: OCPS football players begin rapid COVID-19 testing before games Rapid COVID-19 testing begins Tuesday for all Orange County high school football players.

Cox Media Group