Eau Claire County (WQOW) – Eau Claire County health officials are recommending that student-athletes do not participate in high-risk sports this fall.

Health Director Lieske Giese made the recommendation Wednesday afternoon after a number of protests from student-athletes over the last week in favor of a fall sports season.

Giese said there is currently no language in the public health order that prohibits athletes from playing but says the risk of increasing the spread of COVID-19 in those sports is real.

“We know that some may choose to do that either locally or across the state or nationally. We’re aware that that has happened over the summer and will continue to happen this fall,” Giese said. “The risk is real in those high-risk sports that WIAA and others give recommendation on and it isn’t our recommendation that that happens.”

Under the current public health order, a six-foot physical distancing requirement is still in place and Giese is encouraging athletes to find creative ways to do that if they do choose to play.

The health department is compiling health recommendations for athletes who do participate, including active COVID-19 screening for them, physical distancing while not actively participating in the game and the usage of facemasks.