Reports: Numerous Athletes From Power Five Programs Test Positive For COVID-19
Jun 20, 2020, 5:43 PM | Updated: 10:18 pm
(Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – Numerous student-athletes from multiple Power Five conference schools have tested positive for COVID-19, according to multiple reports.
On June 17, CNN reported that 10 states were seeing their highest average of daily new COVID-19 cases since the start of the coronavirus pandemic.
In mid-June, Clemson reportedly had 21 football players test positive for the coronavirus disease.
Kansas State suspended all football workouts for two weeks after 14 student-athletes tested positive.
Texas recently announced that 13 football players tested positive for the coronavirus disease.
On Saturday, June 20, Sports Illustrated reported that “at least 30 of LSU’s 115 players have been isolated because they tested positive for COVID-19 or were found to have had contact with those who tested positive.”
Clemson Tigers
Clemson University announced on Friday that after 315 tests were processed, 28 student-athletes tested positive for COVID-19.
Previously, Clemson announced that two football players tested positive during the school’s initial run of 169 tests.
Clemson tested 315 people this week — some initial tests of new returnees to campus, most based on symptoms or contact with those showing symptoms. In total, 28 tested positive for Covid-19. 21 were football players + 2 football staff (not necessarily coaches) + 2 more last week.
— Hi, I’m David (@ADavidHaleJoint) June 19, 2020
In total, 23 of the athletes have reportedly been from the football team.
Kansas State Wildcats
On Saturday, June 20, Kansas State suspended its football program workout for 14 days.
14 Wildcat athletes had tested positive for COVID-19 as of June 19.
“The health and well-being of our student-athletes will always be our top priority,” Kansas State athletics director Gene Taylor said. “Following the most recent test results, we felt like temporarily pausing all football workouts and access to our facilities was the best decision for everyone. We continue to take this situation very seriously and want to do everything we can to get back to workouts soon.”
NEWS: Kansas State has paused voluntary football workouts for 14 days after more positive COVID-19 tests. pic.twitter.com/jaQNOlAV8P
— Chris Vannini (@ChrisVannini) June 20, 2020
Texas Longhorns
On Thursday, June 18, Texas Athletics announced that 13 football players had confirmed cases of the virus. In addition to those 13 players, 10 additional Longhorns are currently asymptomatic but are also self-isolating due to contract tracing data.
The University of Texas announced that 13 football players tested positive for COVID-19 or are presumed positive, and contact tracing has 10 more in isolation.
https://t.co/E1OnT86Bmr— ESPN (@espn) June 18, 2020
LSU Tigers
On Saturday, June 20, Sports Illustrated reported that “at least one-quarter of LSU’s football team was in quarantine this week because of virus-related concerns,” according to multiple sources.
NEWS: At least 30 #LSU football players have been in quarantine, sources tell @SINow.
Some have tested positive; others found to have contacted positives. A portion got infected at Baton Rouge nightclub outbreak.
No hospitalizations or serious illness.https://t.co/yWekg8M7ce
— Ross Dellenger (@RossDellenger) June 20, 2020
Coronavirus Resources
- Have you or a family member been affected by coronavirus issues in Utah? KSL TV wants to hear from you. Contact KSL by emailing [email protected].
- What is COVID-19? Here’s What You Need To Know To Stay Healthy
- What We Know And Don’t Know About The Coronavirus
- Four Common Coronavirus Questions Answered
- The latest coronavirus stories from KSL TV can be found at our Staying Safe: Coronavirus section.
- Your Life Your Health: How can parents prepare their home, children against coronavirus?
How Do I Prevent It?
The CDC has some simple recommendations, most of which are the same for preventing other respiratory illnesses or the flu:
- Avoid close contact with people who may be sick
- Avoid touching your face
- Stay home when you are sick
- Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue and then throw the tissue in the trash
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom, before eating, and after blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing. Always wash your hands with soap and water if your hands are visibly dirty.
- If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.
How To Get Help
If you’re worried you may have COVID-19, you can contact the Utah Coronavirus Information Line at 1-800-456-7707 to speak to trained healthcare professionals. You can also use telehealth services through your healthcare providers.
Additional Resources
If you see evidence of PRICE GOUGING, the Utah Attorney General’s Office wants you to report it. Common items in question include toilet paper, water, hand sanitizer, certain household cleaners, and even cold medicine and baby formula. Authorities are asking anyone who sees price gouging to report it to the Utah Division of Consumer Protection at 801-530-6601 or 800-721-7233. The division can also be reached by email at [email protected].