The Kearney School District (KSD) announced that a student who attended football practice on Monday, August 17, has tested positive for COVID-19. The notification to the school district came at 3:30 p.m. on August 21.

The school district stated that the student that tested positive did not experience symptoms until Tuesday.

KSD continues to take many precautions in order to hold football practices and has coordinated closely with the Clay County Public Health Center (CCPHC) to provide the safest possible environment. Last week, Head Football Coach Josh Gray published a video demonstrating the various precautions the football program has initiated.

Practices take place outdoors, locker rooms are not being used, players bring their own water bottles, coaches wear masks when physical distancing is not possible, and equipment is frequently sanitized. Additionally, position groups are separated to the maximum extent that is possible for practice to still be productive.

Clay County Public Health Center will conduct a “close contact” investigation, and individuals that are determined to be close contacts will be called by the health department. The district will also be directly contacting those students considered close contacts.

KPGZ Sports – Brian Watts contributed to this story