Despite precautions, UNC’s athletic program becomes one of many dealing with coronavirus
When North Carolina’s athletes returned to campus in groups in June and July the university implemented a number of protocols to ensure they were safe.
The university, which closed its campus for three months due to the coronavirus, brought back athletes in phases.
Football players returned in four different groups in June. Men’s and women’s basketball players returned Monday.
The teams players and staffs were tested twice — once when they returned to campus, and then again eight days later.
Football players were encouraged to practice social distancing and wear masks around the team’s building.
But even with the precautions, the school announced on Wednesday that 37 among athletes and staff tested positive for the coronavirus. As a precaution, the football team paused voluntary workouts for at least a week.
Todd McGee, a spokesperson for Orange County’s Health Department, deferred all questions to UNC-Chapel Hill.
Kate Maroney, a university spokesperson, said that the university had no comment beyond the press release it sent out Wednesday, but added, “Campus Health, with guidance from the local Health Department, conducts close contact tracing when any student and post-doctoral fellows test positive for COVID-19.”
UNC athletic director Bubba Cunningham did not respond to a text message Thursday seeking an interview. Robbi Pickeral Evans, a spokesperson for Cunningham and the athletic program, later said he was not available.
More students returning soon
In Wednesday’s press release, the university said it conducted 429 total coronavirus tests on its athletes and staff. The 37 positive cases are considered a cluster by Orange County. A cluster is five or more cases, according to the state’s Department of Health and Human Services.
In June, the university stated it would not release the results of those tests.
According to the university’s protocol, the athletes who tested positive for COVID-19 are “required to isolate for up to 14 days in a campus residence hall specified by the university or at their permanent residence.”
Close contacts or those who may have been exposed were also asked to self-isolate and monitor any potential symptoms.
Athletes for five of UNC’s non-revenue sports are expected to return to campus July 13.
On Aug. 9, thousands of UNC students are expected to return to campus for the fall semester.
When asked in an interview Thursday about the cases in the athletic department and whether that’s a cause for concern about bringing the full student body back to campus, UNC-Chapel Hill Chancellor Kevin Guskiewicz said they are learning from each phase of reopening to campus, including bringing groups of athletes back.
He said with this situation they learned that contact tracing is really working and helping UNC to identify who else is potentially infected and who should be tested.
“We’re using all of those ramp ups to guide our decision-making,” Guskiewicz said referring to plans for campus operations this fall.
ACC delays games
UNC was one of a number of schools to report positive coronavirus cases among its athletic departments. N.C. State reported Thursday that five among athletes and staff tested positive for COVID-19. More than 300 athletes were tested.
Last month, Texas football announced 13 players had tested positive for COVID-19. Two players at South Florida tested positive. Three players at UCF, the school UNC is scheduled to open the season against on Sept. 4, tested positive last month. Twenty-eight football players and staff members tested positive at Clemson, according to The State. And eight Kansas State athletes tested positive last month, according to the Wichita Eagle.
The number of positive cases raises further questions as to whether college football will have a 2020 season, especially when players come in close contact with each other and breathe heavily through exercise. The disease, although not as contagious outside as it is inside, is spread through respiratory droplets, according to the state’s DHHS.
On Thursday, the ACC announced that each of its fall Olympic sports will delay games until at least Sept. 1, according to the league. ACC commissioner John Swofford was not available for comment Thursday.
“Any rescheduling of contests will also be determined by each school,” a Thursday press release stated. “The league continues to discuss the impact of COVID-19 on fall schedules and competitions with the understanding that there may be future changes, and that the priority remains the health and safety of our student-athletes.”
This story was originally published July 9, 2020 at 5:13 PM.
