MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) – The wife of a juvenile referee, who died of COVID-19, believes he contracted the virus during games in Carver County.
Sixty-two-year-old Dan Culhane passed away at the end of February. His wife, Nancy Mitchell, also contracted the virus and was later told by health officials that she had the B.1.1.7 variant, which was first identified in the UK and considered highly contagious.
READ MORE: Minnesota is pushing for testing in Carver County amid an outbreak of variants
“He loved the game itself. He loved the kids, especially the younger ones who were just learning a little bit, ”Mitchell said.
For 20 years Culhane has developed a relationship with players, coaches and fellow referees. He was also a cancer survivor who had been told by doctors to play with precautions again.
Dan Culhane (Credit: CBS)
“He has taken extra precautions. Multiple masks, electronic whistles, ”Mitchell said. “We have been extremely careful.”
But in February they both tested positive for COVID-19. As she got better, he got worse and had a stroke.
“He was put on a ventilator for the procedure and never got off it,” she said. “So it was very fast and very shocking, and I just don’t want another family to go through this.”
Mitchell said she tested positive for the British variant and believes her husband contracted the virus while directing youth hockey games in Victoria and Waconia. Last week, the Minnesota Department of Health recommended a two-week break for youth sports in Carver County. MDH said 27 cases of the COVID-19 variant are now county-related.
READ MORE: British variant outbreak linked to youth sports in Carver County, officials recommend a two-week break
“I have empathy for all parents and children, but personally I think they should at least pause and just analyze this,” Mitchell said. “Maybe it will be fine, but you just don’t know who it will not be right with.”
In the meantime, she chooses to remember the passion Culhane had for the sport he loved.
“That’s one part that’s so sad, you know, he actually died taking part in an activity that he loved,” she said.
Dan Culhane (Credit: CBS)
Eastern Carver County Schools made some changes Monday through March 21, including a break for all non-varsity winter sports and additional safety precautions for varsity teams.
The district has not commented on Mitchell’s claims. There is no way to know for sure if Culhane has contracted COVID-19 from his referee duties.
Carver County parents are committed to keeping sports safe and open. Christina Jax, whose son plays varsity hockey, said she is concerned about what a break could mean for children’s mental health in the sport. She thinks Carver County shouldn’t be isolated, and she wrote a letter to administrators explaining why.
“I don’t think it makes sense to just isolate this poor group of youth athletes. If we’re going to do it, then we have to make general statements for everyone, and be able to actually justify it statistically, ”said Jax.
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Last week, the Chaska-Chanhassen Hockey Association said last week that unless there is a direct order from the governor, they will continue to play Minnesota Hockey or local rinks.