Duplin County Schools, Health Department: WRH cleared to play

Below are the Joint statements from Duplin County Health Department and Duplin county schools about the Wallace Rose-Hill High School football team regarding the State Championship.

JOINT STATEMENT - 12/09/2021

DUPLIN COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT AND DUPLIN COUNTY SCHOOLS

Due to events that have occurred over the last week involving the Wallace-Rose Hill High School football program, local and state public health officials have identified the need to screen all coaches, players and other football program participants prior to Saturday’s game. These individuals will receive a rapid antigen test on Friday morning. Should anyone require a follow up PCR test, one will be conducted immediately following the rapid test to confirm the results. In most cases, the PCR results have been provided within 24 hours. We have been in contact with our testing vendor to express the need for timely results so that as many players as possible can participate in the championship game they have worked so hard to reach.

We commend all of the football programs in Duplin County for deciding early in the season to begin wearing masks and following other safety protocols above and beyond state athletic requirements. This factored heavily into Wallace-Rose Hill High School being given the opportunity to follow this screening recommendation.  

JOINT STATEMENT - 12/10/2021

DUPLIN COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT AND DUPLIN COUNTY SCHOOLS

The COVID-19 screening protocol for the Wallace-Rose Hill High School football program was completed this morning. We are excited to announce that tomorrow’s 2A NCHSAA State Football Championship Game will proceed as scheduled. Thank you to everyone involved for your collaboration and support. Go Bulldogs!