Carthage R-9 officials, working with health department, reopen athletic facilities

Carthage R-9 athletic facilities, which were closed late last week after two high school athletes who had used the facilities revealed they had been in contact with someone who tested positive for COVID-19, will reopen today, according to an announcement placed on the district's Facebook page Monday.

After consulting with Jasper County Health Department personnel, we decided all activities will resume Tuesday in the areas recently closed (the high school gyms, weight room, Tiger Activity Center, football field, track, and field house weight room). 

We will continue to follow health department guidelines and recommendations regarding sanitation, cleaning, and social distancing.

District officials announced over the weekend that a high school athlete had tested positive for the coronavirus.

Superintendent Mark Baker posted a statement Monday providing more information about that athlete:

I understand there is some confusion regarding where the student athlete, who tested positive for COVID-19, participated in various activities. 

The student athlete did not participate in activities in the high school gym or weight room. However, the student athlete did participate in activities in the Tiger Activity Center, football field, and field house weight room. I'm sorry that I did not recognize not everyone will know the difference between high school weight room and field house weight room.