The following is a release from the Northampton and Catasauqua schools regarding the cancellation of this year’s Thanksgiving game, scheduled to be held at Alumni Field in Catty this Thursday, Nov. 26.

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The COVID-19 crisis has impacted many of our lives, activities and traditions. School leaders have avoided making an earlier decision in order to consider the most recent health information and its impact on the Thanksgiving Day football rivalry.

At this time, the Catasauqua and Northampton school districts, for the following reasons, have canceled the Thanksgiving game on Thursday November 26, 2020:

1. Increase in confirmed and presumed COVID-19 positive student and staff cases in both school districts this week.

2. Northampton and Lehigh Counties being in the substantial level of community

transmission for the past two weeks.

3. Recent recommendations of local Health Professionals relative to the spread of COVID-19 due to social gatherings, and the ultimate potential impact on medical

services/personnel in the region.

4. Reduced outdoor venue capacity and travel advisory as per the most recent governor’s order.

5. Increased risk to our student athletes, families and community members. The percent positivity rate in Lehigh County is 11.3% and 10.1% in Northampton County. The highest percentages since March of 2020.

6. Protection of the continuation of our in-person instruction academic program for students in both districts.

This has been a difficult decision, but the health and safety for our students, coaches and families inevitably causes us to err in protection of all involved as well as the health and well-being of our greater communities.