Coronavirus cluster in UNC athletics department; voluntary football workouts paused
UNC-Chapel Hill announced an outbreak of COVID-19 among its athletic department on Wednesday that will halt the football team’s voluntary off-season workouts.
In a press release, the school said it conducted 429 tests of athletes, coaches and staff and 37 tests came back positive for the coronavirus. The Orange County Health Department has identified the situation as a cluster, which means there are five or more people who are positive for COVID-19.
The football team’s workouts, which are led by players without coaches present per NCAA rules, will be paused at least for one week.
UNC’s athletes returned to campus last month, with groups of athletes returning in phases. One group arrived June 12, another June 19 and two more arrived later in the month.
When the players arrived on campus, they were tested for the coronavirus. The school had previously said it wouldn’t be announcing coronavirus test results.
Now that there are 37 positive tests, the infected athletes will quarantine for 14 days at their permanent residence or in a residence hall specified by the university. That is in accordance with protocols the university established prior to allowing athletes to return.
Coaches and staff members will isolate at their homes.
In addition, anyone identified as a close contact will self-quarantine for 14 days. If they become symptomatic, they will also be tested, the school said in a press release.
Coronavirus hits college programs around the country
UNC’s men’s and women’s basketball players returned Monday as scheduled and have been going through planned assessments, UNC spokesman Steve Kirschner said. Field hockey, soccer, volleyball, lacrosse and cross country athletes are scheduled to return on July 13 with the rest of the teams set to return in August.
COVID-19 outbreaks among college athletes have been reported around the country — from Clemson and Central Florida to Texas, LSU and Kansas State, among many others — as they return to campus for the first time since the spring semester. When the pandemic hit in March, schools suspended their athletic programs and students completed their coursework via online learning.
Last month, the NCAA’s Division I council approved a six-week plan that would allow football teams to transition from voluntary workouts to regular workouts in July and then preseason camps in August.
UNC is set to open its season on Sept. 4 against UCF.
This is a developing story and will be updated.
This story was originally published July 8, 2020 at 4:29 PM with the headline "Coronavirus cluster in UNC athletics department; voluntary football workouts paused."