More than 600 sign petition against mandatory COVID-19 testing for OCPS football players

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — Orange County Public Schools said another 19 students and staff members have tested positive for COVID-19 in the district.

The district’s COVID-19 dashboard shows there are now 134 cases connected to schools. Eighty-four of those cases are students, the rest are staff members.

Mandatory rapid COVID-19 testing started at five schools Tuesday for football players, coaches and staff members.

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

The testing will continue at another eight high schools Wednesday.

But not everyone is for the mandatory testing. More than 600 people have signed a petition against the testing.

Read: OCPS football players begin rapid COVID-19 testing before games

“It’s all about safety for the kids. We know that 100%, but the way they’re going about it is just not right,” said Ray Patti, a parent.

Patti has a son who plays football for OCPS. He is also one of the 600 people who signed the petition.

Some local high schools are set to have their first game of the season Thursday.

Read: Orange County Public Schools launches coronavirus dashboard

It is unclear if any of the new cases on the dashboard are connected to football players.

Cox Media Group