LHS soccer team to quarantine after player tests positive for COVID-19

A member of the Louisburg High School boys soccer team has tested positive for COVID-19, the school announced in an e-mail today.

After discussion with the Miami County Health Department, they have determined by the Kansas Department of Health and Environment guidelines that the entire team, both varsity and junior varsity, will have to quarantine until Sept. 16.

“It is an unfortunate situation,” LHS activities director Michael Pickman said. “Once we were informed of the positive test, I reported it to the health department and we went from there. We are definitely hoping for a full recovery of the person involved.”

According to Pickman, the school was informed that a player was coming down with symptoms last Thursday and was in the process of getting tested. The parents then informed Pickman on Saturday of the positive test result.

Pickman then contacted the Miami County Health Department shortly after he received the news. The health department called on Monday to gather information and word came down late in the day Tuesday.

Due to the fact that the infected player practiced with the entire team last Wednesday, it led to the quarantine of all 40 players. In practice and games, players do not wear masks, except when they are not participating or doing a light workout.

The KDHE recommendation indicated that as a result of practice Wednesday, and exposure to “droplets” being possible regardless of proximity or time, all players needed to be quarantined.

Members of the team will be able to return to school and practice on Sept. 17. It means today’s match with Basehor-Linwood, Thursday’s game with Bonner Springs and the Wildcats’ Sept. 15 matchup with Paola have all been postponed.

Louisburg was also scheduled to play Lansing on Sept 14, but that game has been cancelled.

The Wildcats started their season with wins over Fort Scott and Basehor-Linwood.

“We are going to reschedule as many of these games as we can,” Pickman said. “Obviously we are probably going to lose a game or two because of this, but hopefully we will be able to have close to a full season.”