SPOKANE, Wash. — There are no changes to the 2020 high school basketball championships throughout Washington despite cases of coronavirus in the state.
On Sunday, more cases of coronavirus (COVID-19) were announced, bringing the total of those presumed positive in Washington state to 14, including six people who died.
Most of these cases are connected to a possible outbreak at Life Care Center nursing home in Kirkland.
King County Public Health officials said that number is expected to rise as more people are tested.
The announcement from the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association includes championship games in Tacoma, Yakima and Spokane.
WIAA staff say they are in communication the state Department of Health and will continue to receive guidance on upcoming events.
"The safety of participants and fans is the primary focus of our organization and we encourage those planning to attend to follow the prevention guidelines distributed by the Center for Disease Control," a statement from the WIAA reads.
The association has also been working with staff at each of three sites, including the Spokane Arena, to disinfect high-touch areas with disinfectant approved by the Environmental Protection Agency.
Increased hand sanitizer stations will be made available throughout each site, according to the WIAA.
The state Department of Health is also encouraging attendees of large events to spread out when possible as an extra preventative measure.
The WIAA recently considered cancelling a game between Jackson High School from Mill Creek, Washington, and Vancouver's Skyview High. This came after a student from Jackson was diagnosed with coronavirus on Friday.
After consulting with the state Department of Health, the WIAA let the game continue.
"They're telling us it's safe and good to go as planned," said WIAA executive director Mick Hoffman.