Information for this story contributed by the Arizona media relations department.
Arizona Athletics reported Friday that two of the three football players who have tested positive for COVID-19 are asymptomatic. The initial announcement last month mentioned one player tested positive.
After having to place a pause on bringing additional student-athletes to campus for voluntary physical activities due to the surge of positive cases of COVID-19 in Pima County as well as the increased burden on the healthcare system, Arizona announced it has continued its testing of the 83 football players who began returning to campus on June 8.
The university announced a total of 366 test encounters, which may encompass a variety of individual tests such as PCR, antigen and antibody testing, have been administered to the football players on campus with only three positives.
All three of the undisclosed players were removed from voluntary physical activities to enter department protocols for self-isolation.
Contact tracing has shown no other persons became positive by exposure to these individuals. Arizona Athletics also has 28 staff members who have been on campus to support voluntary physical activities, and none of those 28 have tested positive while on campus.
“When we made the decision to pause bringing additional student-athletes back to campus, we did so out of an abundance of caution,” athletics director Dave Heeke said in the statement. “Our athletics department’s re-entry, testing and medical processes have been effective and efficient. Arizona Athletics will continue to work closely with President (Robert C.) Robbins, university leadership and campus partners in our commitment to protect the health of our community. Assessments and consultations with our local health authorities, the University of Arizona, the Pac-12 Conference and the NCAA are ongoing as we look to resume the safe and healthy return of student-athletes and staff to campus.”
The athletics department’s testing protocols include an initial antibody test when a student-athlete returns in addition to weekly COVID-19 PCR tests done orally and through the nasal cavity as well as weekly antigen tests. Part of the department’s protocols also include building notifications of occupants actively working in a facility after a positive test.
Arizona Athletics plans on providing additional testing updates in the future.
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