Multiple New England states are experiencing issues with the coronavirus for hockey players, prompting suspensions in play.Some states, including Massachusetts and New Hampshire, have paused ice skating and hockey activities for two weeks as facilities find ways to better prevent COVID-19 among people visiting and using the rinks.Above video: Hockey parents speak out prior to mandatory COVID-19 testing announcement in New HampshireA rink is Vermont was linked to dozens of cases, and earlier this month, New Hampshire's governor said over 150 cases in recent months were linked to hockey. Hockey organizers and health experts in states have detailed ways to reduce risks in spreading the virus, stressing physical distancing and other measures. Materials typically cite Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines.Health officials have also noted an adult recreational game being connected with the virus, saying it happened in Florida and led to around a dozen positive cases."The ice rink provides a venue that is likely well suited to COVID-19 transmission as an indoor environment where deep breathing occurs, and persons are in close proximity to one another," a Florida health official said. NH introduces testing requirement for playersA new requirement says rink staff, players and coaches must undergo a COVID-19 test before Nov. 6.It comes as New Hampshire is "pausing" all hockey activities in indoor rinks for two weeks following positive COVID-19 tests for 158 people associated with the sport over the last two months, Gov. Chris Sununu and health officials said Oct. 15. The suspension, which also affects ice skating in general, is in effect until Oct. 29. Play can resume Oct. 30, and the state's reopening task force has provided guidance, which includes wearing face coverings when people are not playing. Dr. Ben Chan, state epidemiologist, previously said the cases are from 23 different hockey-related New Hampshire organizations and teams, 바카라 게임 웹사이트�and there are additional connections with out-of-state ice hockey organizations."Chan said people who have acquired the virus through hockey have been associated with, and potentially exposed others, in at least 24 different K-12 schools throughout the state.바카라 게임 웹사이트�This type of spread and exposure to other facilities and organizations within the community increases the risk of introduction and spread of COVID-19 in other settings outside of hockey," Chan said.Rinks will be cleaned and sanitized and guidance on the sport will be revised and more testing will be conducted. College team activity is on hold, in addition to youth and amateur organization activities.바카라 게임 웹사이트�We don't know exactly where the pinpoints are here, whether it's something on the ice or something in the locker rooms," Sununu said.Indoor hockey, skating suspended for 2 weeks in Mass.Suspended play comes as outbreaks have been linked to 108 confirmed or probable COVID-19 cases, according to the Massachusetts health department. Indoor ice hockey and skating have been suspended as of 5 p.m. Oct. 23, to at least Nov. 7 for youth hockey and adult leagues at both public and private facilities."This order is in response to multiple COVID-19 clusters occurring at rinks throughout the state following games, practices and tournaments," the health department said."There have been at least 30 clusters of COVID-19 associated with organized ice hockey activities involving residents from more than 60 municipalities in Massachusetts," health officials continued.College and professional hockey teams are exempt.Health officials are using the pause to develop stronger COVID-19 protocols. Vermont outbreak growsA coronavirus outbreak connected to recreational hockey and broomball at an indoor ice rink in Montpelier, Vermont, has grown to 43 cases, including cases at seven schools in various counties, seven workplaces, two colleges and two hospitals, Vermont Health Commissioner Dr. Mark Levine said Friday. Another outbreak was linked to a wedding, according to the health department.The cases linked to the Central Vermont Memorial Civic Center are not within a single community, and people who played those sports live in multiple counties across the state, he said during the governor's twice-weekly virus briefing. The number of close contacts to the people infected now likely exceeds 240, Levine said.바카라 게임 웹사이트�We've been kind of referring to it as an outbreak that has tentacles in many areas and that's because of the place of origin of those who were congregating together to engage in these sports in one place in the state,바카라 게임 웹사이트� Levine said. "It's the kind of outbreak you don't want to see."Vermont reported 28 new coronavirus cases on Friday, its second-highest number of cases since early June, with Levine saying half of the newest cases are associated with three outbreaks, including the one linked to the ice rink.Maine hockey referee case leads to warningThe Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention warned earlier this month that people who attended certain hockey games might have been exposed to COVID-19.Maine CDC Director Dr. Nirav Shah said a hockey referee tested positive for coronavirus refereeing eight games at several locations on Oct. 3 and 4.Maine Amateur Hockey canceled all games from Oct. 16 to 20 out of an abundance of caution.Study suggests high school sports not a driver of the virusMeanwhile, a study from the University of Wisconsin-Madison suggested that the state's high school sports have not caused an increase in COVID-19 infections among athletes.The UW School of Medicine and Public Health released the study Thursday. Researchers led by Dr. Andrew Watson surveyed 207 schools that restarted fall sports in September, representing more than 30,000 athletes, more than 16,000 practices and more than 4,000 games.The survey found 271 athletes contracted the virus overall compared with 2,318 Wisconsin children aged 14-17 over the month of September. No sports were found to have a higher incidence rate of COVID-19 overall than 14-17 year-olds. None of the cases among the athletes resulted in hospitalization or death.The findings suggest participation in sports isn't associated with an increased risk of COVID-19 among athletes but call for expanded studies to build a more complete picture, the researchers wrote.