The Illinois Department of Public Health confirmed Friday that regions of the state that meet Phase 4 COVID mitigations will be allowed to move forward with high-risk sports. Three regions of the state currently meet that requirement, but the local region, Region 2, does not. IDPH Director Dr. Ngozi Ezike is hoping COVID numbers continue to trend downward.
High-risk sports are basketball, football and wrestling. Again, in those regions that reach Phase 4, they can have competitions in those sports. Region 2 has not reached Phase 4 yet. Region 2 includes Mercer, Rock Island, Henry, Bureau, Putnam, Kendall, Grundy, Knox, Henderson, Warren, McDonough, Fulton, Stark, Marshall, Peoria, Tazwell, McLean, Woodford, Livingston and LaSalle counties. Region 2 does meet the metrics to have competitions in low risk sports like baseball, softball and track and medium risk sports like volleyball and soccer.
The IHSA Board meets Wednesday (Jan. 27) to map out a plan for the rest of the school year.
Click here to access the IHSA COVID-19 Resource Guide.