Pandemic: LA, Orange counties meets threshold to allow resumption of youth sports

LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- The rate of new COVID-19 cases in Los Angeles County fell far enough Wednesday to allow for a resumption of youth competition in sports such as football, soccer and water polo, but with many schools still closed due to the pandemic, it was unclear when student-athletes will return to action.

The state issued revised guidelines last week allowing a resumption of youth sports as of Friday in counties where the average daily rate of new COVID-19 infections drops below 14 per 100,000 residents. Updated numbers released by the state Tuesday put Los Angeles County's adjusted rate at 12.3 per 100,000 residents.
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Orange County also met the threshold, with its case rate falling to 11.9 per 100,000 residents.

Counties that reach the 14-case threshold can resume basketball, football, ice hockey, lacrosse, rugby, rowing/crew, soccer and water polo youth competition.
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Resuming football, rugby and water polo will also require weekly COVID testing of players -- aged 13 and above -- and coaches, with test results made available within 24 hours of a competition. Gov. Gavin Newsom said the state would absorb the cost of the required testing.

California says outdoor youth sports can resume in some counties