Three more COVID-19 cases were confirmed Thursday at Valencia High School, prompting the county Department of Public Health to order the cancellation of the school’s Friday night football game against Saugus High School.
Dave Caldwell, spokesman for the William S. Hart Union High School District, told City News Service that some, but not all of the cases, involve the football team, but the infections at the campus have been “epidemiologically linked.”
“Everything that has been going on at the school this week, the cases that have been (in the media), they’re all connected,” Caldwell said.
The district earlier this week reported 33 total infections at the VHS campus, with the cases primarily focused around the cheerleading squad, prompting a temporary shutdown of the program.
Caldwell insisted, however, that while the football game has been canceled, classes at Valencia High School will be held as usual on Friday, despite rumors that the school was being closed.
Caldwell said the football game will be listed as a forfeit by Valencia High School.
VHS Principal issued a statement Thursday afternoon saying the school’s football facilities will be closed Friday for “deep cleaning.”
“We realize this is a difficult time for our school community, and we want to assure you that all safety protocols and regulations are being followed on campus,” Getz said. “We will continue to emphasize the importance of maintaining a safe campus to preserve the academic environment.”