After beginning workouts for fall athletics, Russellville High School has had two female student athletes test positive for COVID-19.

RHS athletic director John Ritter said he is not allowed to say which sport these students are involved with, but RHS athletics has been in contact with the state health department to ensure the school is following all recommended procedures.

“We are doing our best to follow these guidelines we were given and keep our students safe,” Ritter said.

Once testing positive, a student-athlete is not allowed at workouts or practices until receiving a negative test result.

Ritter said each team is divided into small groups to cut down on interaction, with the group size being determined by the number of people playing that sport.

Ritter said if someone in one group tests positive, other members of that group are still allowed to continue coming to practices but will be monitored closely to see if they exhibit any symptoms.

Athletes are having their temperature taken before each practice, and heavy cleaning protocols are in place.

“We are following the guidelines that we were given,” Ritter said. “We were told as coaches it is not our job to have to come up with policies but to follow the procedures the state department gives us.”

Ritter said all guidelines for workouts and practices are from the Alabama High School Athletic Association and the Alabama Department of Public Health.

Ritter said as of now the procedures are set to continue for whenever games begin in the fall.

Each time a student athlete tests positive, Ritter said head coaches will notify parents on the team to ensure everyone is on the same page.

Ritter said unfortunately he does not expect this to be the last time there are positive cases in athletics.

“I think with everyone coming back to school, this is going to start being the new normal,” Ritter said. “We are just going to do the best we can to limit interaction and do the best we can to keep our students safe.”