Nanaimo Minor Hockey has suspended play in its U8 division after a positive COVID-19 test with one of its players. Nanaimo United soccer has also cancelled practices for a week after a similar exposure. (Spencer Sterritt/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

ABUNDANCE OF CAUTION

Nanaimo Minor Hockey, United Soccer alter plans after COVID-19 exposures

Nov 16, 2020 | 2:13 PM

NANAIMO — A series of COVID-19 exposures in the region, particularly clusters within the school system, have forced local sports organizations to press pause.

Nanaimo Minor Hockey Association said Monday, Nov. 16 they were suspending their U8 division for 10 days after a confirmed case of COVID-19 connected to the cohort.

The shutdown impacts around 60 players across four teams and is self-contained away from any other NMHA divisions.

“Looking at when the dates of exposure were, it was a very simple thing to say we needed to shut down that division for a period of 10 days, barring any further information,” David van Deventer, NMHA risk & safety manager, said.

Exposure dates were Nov. 1, 7 and 8 and the player who tested positive is self-isolating and was not at the rink this past weekend, van Daventer said.

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Nanaimo United FC took similar steps on Friday, Nov. 13 after they became aware of a separate confirmed case connected to the club.

The individual is not linked to any exposures within the Nanaimo school system.

All sessions on Saturday and Sunday were cancelled with the club also cancelling practices for the week of Monday, Nov. 16.

Jessica Kirby, United board of directors member, told NanaimoNewsNOW they looked at a bigger picture when determining next steps.

“We wanted people to know we were doing everything we can to be responsible and taking these things seriously. We have a very small staff, in the event one (case) turns into five, do we have the staff capacity to manage all the logistics that comes with it…not really.”

More information on the status of weekend games is due on Thursday, Nov. 19.

Temporarily shuttering Nanaimo United FC activities for a week impacts around 1,700 players and 200 volunteers

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