LAKE COUNTY — Spring sports at Clear Lake, Kelseyville, Lower Lake, Middletown and Upper Lake high schools are on hold until further notice because of the COVID-19 situation that has brought the collegiate and pro sporting world to a halt this week.
Outbreaks of the virus around the world prompted the World Health Organization to declare coronavirus a pandemic on Wednesday and as the number of infected individuals continues to rise in California and throughout the country, local school districts are taking action.
While seven Lake County high school teams were in action Thursday — Kelseyville and Upper Lake baseball, Upper Lake and Middletown softball, and Clear Lake, Kelseyville and Middletown golf — a number of games scheduled for Friday were called off late Thursday, including Middletown baseball and softball games in Fortuna, Clear Lake softball in Eureka, and Kelseyville softball in Fort Bragg.
Upper Lake’s softball team was scheduled to travel to Willits on Friday.
While Lake County’s high school baseball and softball teams have been playing games since late February, other sports — tennis and golf — were just getting under way. Track season was scheduled to begin this weekend for the county’s schools.
On Friday, all of Lake County’s school districts canceled or postponed all athletic games, meets and matches until early next month or for an indefinite period of time.
Kelseyville Unified School District said that all sporting events would be suspended through spring break (April 10) and that athletes should contact their coaches about practices, which are allowed.
Upper Lake Unified School District suspended all sporting events indefinitely but will permit athletes to practice.
The Lakeport Unified School District is suspending all games, matches and meets effective immediately with possible resumption at the end of spring break (April 10). Sports practices will be allowed.
In the Konocti Unified School District, all games and meets are canceled beginning Monday through spring break (April 10). Athletes will be allowed to practice in all sports except wrestling.
The Middletown Unified School District has canceled all athletic events and games until further notice.
Schools in all of Lake County districts will remain open for classes until further notice.
