Montco Coach With Coronavirus Coached Youth Sports, Went To Party

Correction: The coach's gender was not specified in Dr. Valerie Arkoosh's news briefing. A county spokesperson told Patch the coach was symptomatic for COVID-19 but had not received a positive test result before coming into contact with the youth league or attending the party. This story was updated at 4:10 p.m.

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, PA — A Montgomery County youth coach who tested positive for the new coronavirus coached kids and went to a July 4th party while infectious, County Commissioner Dr. Valerie Arkoosh said Wednesday.

In a news briefing regarding the spread of the new coronavirus in the county, Arkoosh said the coach, who was not identified by name or gender, admitted he or she did not always practice social distancing and did not always wear a mask when around others.

As a result, 12 players and three coaches were urged to quarantine for 14 days because they were at risk of contracting the virus. Further, some parents who knew their children had been exposed to the virus and should be quarantined still took their students to play in other sports league games, she said.

Arkoosh said the coach also attended a July 4th party during the infectious period.

The coach, she said, "also had several household exposures and attended a July 4th party during the infectious period but was unwilling to give names of others at party. Because of that, our contact tracing team was not able to notify these individuals that they had direct contact to somebody who was positive for COVID-19."

Several people who attended the July 4th party called the county's health department hoping to learn whether they were exposed to the virus at the party, but Arkoosh said the county's "contact tracing team couldn’t confirm one way or another."

"When you see big outbreaks in other states, this is how it happens," she said.

Arkoosh also addressed a second incident in which people refused to comply with contact tracing, potentially putting others at risk of becoming sick.

A large graduation party at the end of June was attended by over 100 people, few of whom wore masks or practiced social distancing, she said. Some attendees also shared drinks and vape pens.

Arkoosh said several cases were identified as a result of the party, but many went unnoticed because some attendees did not admit to attending the gathering.

"The cases we know are positive have resulted in spread and exposure to groups that have included first responders, pool lifeguards and other groups that have had contact with the public," she said.

Arkoosh implored the public to cooperate with contact tracing measures. Health officials, she said, do not reveal the names of those who test positive.

"Non-cooperation with contact tracers can result in outbreaks that are substantial and can affect many, many, many people in our community," she said. "It’s imperative we find out anyone you may have exposed, even accidentally, so we can make sure those individuals are warned and they can take steps to protect their families and co-workers."

Arkoosh said her request extends beyond Montgomery County as she hopes anyone who tests positive for COVID-19 does their part to keep others safe.

"This is a reminder of how we are all in this together. Actions of individuals, even in other parts of the country, are negatively impacting us here in Montco," she said. "Through substantial shared sacrifice, the people in this county have dramatically reduced viral spread here in Montco. This is no time to let up."