COVID-19: Doctors conduct physicals outdoors to get students ready for sports season

SANTA MARIA, Calif. - If you’re a student athlete going for your physical screening at Santa Maria, Pioneer Valley or Righetti High schools it’s going to look a little different this year.

Doctors with Marian Regional Medical Center are conducting the physicals for Santa Maria and Orcutt high school athletes outdoors on the parking lot of Pioneer Valley High School.

"Normally we would do this at Marian Regional Medical Center ... they’re were gracious enough to do it here ... so we have eight interns and a couple doctors that are here volunteering their time to do the physical so the kids can get back to practice," said athletic director Brian Wallace of Santa Maria.

Doctors say the main reason this parking was chosen for the physicals is because of the wide open space as well as the natural ventilation.

“We wanted it to be outdoors in order to limit any potential spread of the virus ... parents are not allowed to come out with their kids so we limit how many people are actually in contact with our staff are physicians,” said Dr. Will Chung with Marian Regional Medical Center.

Right at the entrance, students are screened in their cars for typical COVID-19 symptoms such as a cough, soar throat or shortness of breath.

If someone shows signs of the virus, COVID-19 test kits are made available.

As the “COVID-19 friendly” physicals continue, coaches hope all athletics get tested this week.