As a reminder, below are the protocols in place at New England Sports Center per the CDC and Board of Health recommendations for the necessary steps after you learn of a COVID-19 positive individual on your team, or on a team you have recently played against.
Protocols for COVID-19 positive individuals on your team:
In the event that an individual from a team that has played, practiced or is scheduled to compete at New England Sports Center tests positive for COVID-19, all players and team personnel who may have been exposed to that individual in the 48 hours prior to either the onset of symptoms or the positive test result, will be expected to adhere to the following guidelines, per the CDC and Board of Health:
- All individuals (including the player that was positive) should self-isolate for 14 days from the time of last exposure and maintain social distance (at least 6 feet) from others at all times during that period.
- They should also self-monitor for symptoms by checking their temperature twice a day, and watching for fever, cough, shortness of breath or other symptoms of COVID-19. You can view a full list of symptoms here.
- If an individual tests positive at any point during that 14-day period, they would restart the 14-day self-isolation timeline from the date of the positive test.
Potential exposure is defined by the CDC as having close contact within 6 feet of an individual for more than 15 minutes. Brief interactions (less than 15 minutes) are less likely to result in transmission; however, symptoms and the type of interaction (e.g., did the infected person cough directly into the face of the exposed individual) remain important. Exposure risks apply to the 48 hours prior to the onset of symptoms or positive test until the infected individual meets the criteria for discontinuing home isolation.
Please see the CDC website for information on the discontinuation of isolation.
Protocols for COVID-19 positive individuals you have played against:
In the event that it is brought to your attention that your team has recently competed against an individual who has tested positive, it is recommended that you test all members of your team before returning to practice or competitions. Players must supply a negative result to their team’s organization.
**If a player tests positive as a result of that exposure, then the above protocols for COVID-19 positive individuals on your team apply.
Testing at NESC
If you or members of your team need to be tested, UMass Memorial Marlborough Hospital is still offering free testing in the New England Sports Center parking lot Monday-Friday from 8 a.m. – 12 p.m. through January.
For more information, visit: https://www.umassmemorialhealthcare.org/marlborough-hospital/patients-visitors/patient-resources/covid-19-dph-testing-site-marlborough-hospital
Thank you & Stay Safe!
Welcome to the Central Mass Bandits
