LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Jefferson County Public Schools (JCPS) will put a hold on most fall sports as COVID-19 cases rise in Louisville, announced Superintendent Marty Pollio in an email sent to JCPS families Friday morning.

"Our coaches and student-athletes have taken tremendous precautions to create the safest environment possible while following all of the guidelines established by the Kentucky High School Athletic Association (KHSAA)," said Pollio in the email. "The health and safety of everyone in our JCPS community is central to our planning and decisions made now and in the future."

Jefferson County is now categorized as a "red" county, meaning there are at least 25 cases per 100,000 people. Pollio said state guidance advises district leaders to review the data to make a decision about sports for the upcoming week. Pollio announced the district would be taking the following measures:

• Games that fall under KHSAA postseason jursidiction will continue as scheduled;
• Games scheduled for tonight and this weekend will also continue;
• The district will follow KHSAA Healthy at Sports guidance, meaning practice is allowed, but no games or game-like situations for teams not already in post-season play; and
• Regular season games for next week will be rescheduled, when possible.

"This has been a difficult decision that our JCPS administrators have spent hours discussing.  We know sports bring valued skills to a student’s life, both on and off the field.  JCPS has an obligation to follow the guidance and direction from state leaders and health officials.  It is our hope that we can resume full practices and contests very soon," said Pollio in the email. "Let’s work together and look out for one another as we move towards our common goal of ensuring the safest experience possible for all students."