Ice Hockey Ref with COVID-19 May Have Exposed 400 People in 2 States

An ice hockey referee who tested positive for COVID-19 potentially exposed about 400 people to the coronavirus after officiating eight recreational games last weekend in two arenas in Maine and one in New Hampshire, according to The Portland Press Herald.

The games were played on Saturday and Sunday at Biddeford Ice Arena and North Yarmouth Academy in Maine and Merrill Fay Arena in New Hampshire. At this point, it is not clear which of the eight games were youth and which were adult.

For now, the Maine CDC is focusing on stopping a potential outbreak before taking the time to determine if the hockey games violated regulations in Maine and New Hampshire to limit the spread of the virus.

In Maine, indoor hockey games are only permitted to be played between members of the same team. Games against other teams are not allowed.

“If you or a family member was on the ice for one of these games, you should consider yourself a close contact of someone with COVID-19. You should quarantine yourself for 14 days since your exposure on the ice,” Dr. Nirav Shah, director of the Maine CDC, said at a media briefing. “That [400] is a very, very early number. It could change upwards or downwards.”