The Traverse City Record-Eagle reported that a mid-August hockey tournament in Traverse City Michigan resulted in a 35-case COVID-19 outbreak. The tournament took place at Centre I.C.E. Arena from August 14-16.
According to the article, contract tracing performed by the Grand Traverse County, Michigan Health Department indicated that it was not clear whether the cases resulted from exposure on the ice or off.
“Most of the cases participated in multiple activities where people were unmasked and in close proximity to one another,” said Wendy Hirschenberger, health officer for Grand Traverse County Health Department. “Aside from the tournament play, our team found that organized meals and group socializing took place and it is believed that those other activities also contributed to the spread.”
One of the overlooked questions surrounding current COVID-19 safety protocols being used throughout the USA is, what activities are parents who are prohibited from staying inside the arena during youth hockey engaged in, while a youth hockey practice or game is occurring inside? This article suggests that the activities of parents outside of the rink deserve the same scrutiny as what’s taking place indoors.