Monroe County officials are suspending all types of play for youth hockey -- including games, competitions, tournaments, scrimmages and competitive practice -- within the county.
The decision was announced Monday after 27 individuals, who were at the Bill Gray's Regional Iceplex for a tournament on the weekend of March 27 and 28, tested positive for COVID-19.
The suspension applies to all K-12 public and private school ice hockey teams and ice hockey club teams; it goes into effect on Tuesday, April 6, until further notice. The Monroe County Dept. of Public Health will reevaluate this decision in two weeks, or sooner if appropriate.
“As per New York State guidance, higher risk sports competitions may occur only as permitted by local health authorities. In Monroe County, we are seeing a substantial and growing number of COVID-19 cases related to ice hockey, more so than other higher risk sports,” County Health Commissioner Dr. Mendoza said.
Individual or distanced group training and organized no/low-contact group training may continue.
Other counties are also reporting positive cases associated with the tournament. Officials said that approximately 240 players, coaches and spectators attended the tournament throughout that weekend.
Officials are urging individuals who were at the Bill Gray’s Regional Iceplex on Saturday, March 27, and Sunday, March 28, and anyone in connection with a youth ice hockey tournament those days, to immediately self-quarantine and contact the Monroe County COVID-19 Hotline at 585-753-5555 as soon as possible.
Also, the County Health Department urged anyone who was at Ferrari Pizza Bar, 349 W. Commercial St., East Rochester, on any day beginning Saturday, March 20 after 7:30 p.m., through Monday, April 5 at 4 p.m., to immediately self-quarantine and contact the Monroe County COVID Hotline at 585-753-5555 as soon as possible.
The health department says it has identified multiple patrons and staff members who have tested positive for COVID-19 during that timeframe and contact tracing is ongoing.
The County Health Department also is reminding residents of the critical importance of cooperating with contact tracing investigators, especially as the county experiences an upward trend in the positivity rate. Officials say that contact tracing is essential to controlling the spread of the virus.
