BUFFALO, N.Y. (WKBW) — The Erie County Department of Health announced Tuesday 49 Erie County youth sports teams have been put on pause in February due to COVID-19.
New York State announced January 22 high-risk sports could resume as early as February 1 with clearance from local heath departments.
In that announcement updated guidance on youth sports was issued, which included a 10-day pause for any moderate or high-risk sport with a positive COVID-19 case among athletes and/or coaches.
Erie County Health Commissioner Dr. Gale Burstein said Tuesday since the county began working with youth sports teams to track the data, 49 teams have been put on pause due to an athlete and/or coach testing positive for COVID-19
Burstein said of the 49 teams, 25 are youth hockey teams and the county is meeting with hockey representatives Tuesday evening to discuss the matter.
According to Burstein there are 21 teams currently on pause.
On February 9 ECDOH said there were only nine teams on pause due to COVID-19.
