WELLSBURG — Brooke County school officials have announced all of the school district’s athletic programs have been halted after it was discovered an athlete tested positive for COVID-19.

The news comes as Brooke and Hancock county health officials report more patients of various ages being tested positive for the virus.

Stephanie Zimmer, spokesperson for the school district, said plans call for athletic programs to be shut down until July 27 in keeping with guidelines set by the National Federation of State High School Associations, West Virginia Secondary School Activities Commission and Brooke County Health Department.

The school district’s athletic programs are based at the middle and high schools, with many of their athletes using the same facilities.

In June school officials adopted a COVID-19 Exposure Response Plan that stated any positive test would result in a 14-day suspension and quarantine of all programs, with no workouts to resume until that person tested negative for the virus.

In addition, the WVSSAC has ordered that anyone who has been in contact with the person must quarantine for 14 days.

Sean Blumette, Brooke County Schools athletic director, said the plan calls for each athlete to sign in when reporting for workouts, with workout groups made smaller, to make it easier to contact others who may have been exposed.

On Thursday, the Brooke County Health Department reported 18 active confirmed cases, including three new cases involving females under 19 years of age and a male under 19.

Department officials noted 14 who tested positive for the virus since April have recovered, and none have been hospitalized.

Officials with the Hancock County Health Department have reported 21 confirmed cases, including two currently hospitalized.

Since Wednesday, the Hancock department has reported new cases involving two men in their 20s, two women in their 40s, a man in his 60s and a woman in her 70s.

The federal Centers for Disease Control has advised people most at risk of suffering severely from the virus are those who are 65 and older and those of any age with chronic health conditions, such as kidney, heart and sickle cell disease; Type 2 diabetes and compromised immune systems.

They and other public health officials warn that people less at risk can unknowingly spread the virus to those most at risk.

Mike Bolen, administrator of the Brooke County Health Department, said there are concerns younger people have become complacent about the disease.

He was asked if they are failing to comply with Gov. Jim Justice’s order to avoid large gatherings and wear masks in public places when social distancing can’t be maintained.

Bolen said, “It’s not so much they’re not complying. Their symptoms are milder, so they don’t think they should be concerned.”

He added, “We’re seeing a lot of younger people (test positive) with milder symptoms that almost mimic a sinus infection.”

Bolen said such symptoms don’t necessarily indicate the virus, but those with them should contact their medical provider to determine if they should be tested.

Symptoms of the coronavirus can include a fever, cough, difficulty breathing, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea, with the latter three common among younger patients, as well as chest or abdominal pain from coughing or vomiting.

Testing also has revealed people who are asymptomatic.

He said his department has received reports of people not wearing masks but has no authority over people outside of the businesses they issue permits to.

Bolen said prior to the pandemic, such employees were required to wear gloves, and since then, they must wear masks.

He was asked about a report of an employee or employees of a food-related business being tested positive.

Bolen said an employee of such an establishment tested positive once and an investigation was done to determine those most likely to have had contact.

He said it occurred some weeks ago, and there’s no evidence other cases arose from that workplace.

Bolen said the health department is obligated to protect the privacy of each patient but may inform the public of such a case under some conditions.

“If we feel the public needs to be notified, we’ll notify them,” he said, adding, “If I feel there’s a need to, I will. I’m not going to create anxiety over issues that are very low risk.”

Bolen said everyone should take precautions, including wearing a mask, to deter contracting or spreading the virus no matter where they go.

“You have to assume it’s everywhere and protect yourself,” he said, adding, “We don’t want people to get in the mindset that anywhere that hasn’t been announced is safe.”

(Scott can be contacted at wscott@heraldstaronline.com.)