The homecoming game against Allan Hancock was rescheduled to Nov. 20 due to three positive COVID-19 tests on the LBCC football team.
The announcement of rescheduling was made in an email addressed to the campus community on Nov. 5, a day before the game’s initial date. The email states that the decision was based on the safety of the entire student body.
The names and positions of the players who tested positive were not given. Interim Athletics Director, Kaladon Stewart, cited HIPAA as the reason for not disclosing the information.
According to Interim Dean of Athletics Randy Totorp, the football team is currently following Long Beach Health Department protocols and quarantining.
“There will be ongoing evaluation and steps that need to be met before a return to campus for practice,” said Totorp.
The game against College of the Canyons that was scheduled to be on Nov. 13 was also cancelled due to the positive cases. The homecoming game’s rescheduled date is also subject to change.
“There will be more information that’ll be forthcoming. … We test (unvaccinated athletes) every Monday and we’ll have to get the results back in order to know how we’re moving forward,” said Stewart.
Totorp said all COVID protocols have been in place at practices and games to provide the safest approach possible and mitigate exposure.
“Masks are only required for indoor settings, and that’s only when student athletes, coaches and staff are not participating in strenuous physical activity. When they’re practicing or competing, there is no requirement for masks,” said Stewart.
Prior to November, the athletics department had a less than 1% positivity rate across the population of more than 500 student athletes, coaches and staff. During the month of October, there were four positive cases in the department.
“Compared to all community colleges, they (athletics department) believe they’ve done really well with providing safe opportunities for the student athletes and staff to compete with minimal COVID related impacts,” said Totorp.
According to Stewart, only three games have needed to be rescheduled this semester due to positive COVID tests.