Multiple COVID-19 outbreaks in Washington linked to high school wrestling tournaments

OLYMPIA, Wash. — Multiple COVID-19 outbreaks have been linked to high school wrestling tournaments in Washington, the Department of Health announced.

The DOH is investigating outbreaks at four different wrestling tournaments that all happened Dec. 4.

The department said the number of cases linked to the events is estimated to be between 80 and 90, but the total may change as the investigation continues. The Snohomish County Health Department said there are at least 33 confirmed cases in the county.

“This would be considered a very large outbreak,” said Dr. Scott Lindquist, the state’s top epidemiologist with the Washington State Department of Health. “This does not bode well. Really the icing on this cake is these are turning out at least some percentage of the omicron variant that is much, much more infectious,” Lindquist said.

The DOH said they confirmed three of the cases were of the omicron variant, but expected that number to increase.

The cases are among vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals, the DOH said.

The tournaments are:

• John Birbeck Invitational in Lacey, Washington.

• Ed Arima Duals in Sumner, Washington.

• Lady Jags Kickoff Tournament in Puyallup, Washington.

• Yelm Girls Varsity in Yelm, Washington.

Students from Clark, Cowlitz, Grays Harbor, King, Kitsap, Lewis, Mason, Skagit, Snohomish, Pierce, Thurston, Whatcom, and Yakima counties were in attendance. A high school in Oregon also sent students.

Local health departments are sending out guidance to schools over the next few days, but the DOH recommends that anyone who attended these events should monitor for symptoms and get tested.

Lindquist added that some COVID-19 precautions were not being followed during the tournaments.

“I’ll be honest. I looked at pictures and video from this event and there were a ton of people in indoor spaces, crowded into bleachers, not wearing masks. So, I can clearly say no, guidance was not being followed,” he said.

The DOH is continuing to investigate the outbreaks and will share more information as it becomes available.

So far, at least the Tacoma School District and the Vashon Island School District confirmed they have students who have tested positive, and have temporarily suspended their wrestling programs.

Sammamish High School has also suspended its wrestling program.

The DOH says it is now reviewing its guidelines for wrestling and other indoor sports, and will work with local health jurisdictions and the WIAA to share any changes in the coming days.

Sammamish High School has also suspended its wrestling program.

The DOH says it is now reviewing its guidelines for wrestling and other indoor sports, and will work with local health jurisdictions and the WIAA to share any changes in the coming days.

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