DHS student tests positive for COVID-19

Athletic workouts at Du Quoin High School will remain suspended at least through July 10, after one student-athlete has tested positive for the coronavirus, and test results are pending for a second student.

Unit District 300 Superintendent Matt Hickam sent a note to parents on Friday, confirming the positive test. Athletic workouts at the high school were suspended last Tuesday after the student was found to have been in contact with someone who later tested positive for COVID-19.

Meanwhile, a second student who was feared to have COVID-19 has tested negative, Hickam said Monday afternoon.

Hickam said Monday that the Perry County Health Department is handling contact tracing for the one confirmed case. He added that some people have had tests done to be on the safe side, and so far, no other cases have been identified amongs students or coaches.

"A good number of people are being precautionary," Hickam added, saying he's heard of some parents who are keeping their children quarantined at home.

"We will maintain our week off and re-evaluate at the end of the week," he said.

When Illinois moved into Phase 4 of the Recover Illinois reopening on June 30, the IHSA began permitting high school athletes to have conditioning workouts, as long as they remain socially distant. Athletes work out in small groups of fewer than nine, and move from coach to coach.

Most of the workouts are done outside, although students are permitted to use the weight room indoors, and to condition inside the school when it is raining.

The student who tested positive was participating in those conditioning workouts, Hickam confirmed.

Hickam said that even without confirmed laboratory test results, it was necessary to cancel the workouts for the safety of students and coaches.

"These workouts are voluntarily, not high stakes," Hickam said. "There's no point in taking any risks."

And, the district will discuss the timeline for returning to the workouts.

Hickam said his understanding is that neither student knew they were in contact with a carrier of the virus. He believes that one of them may have been exposed to the virus while out of state.

Hickam noted that Perry County has had 12 new positive cases of COVID-19 in the past two weeks.

"I encourage you to avoid identified COVID 'hot spots' and follow the guidelines that have been put in place - particularly social distancing, facial coverings and proper hand-washing," he wrote to parents on Friday.

"These guidelines do not eliminate risk, but they do significantly reduce our risk and help our county, our community, and our families to be as safe as possible."