Four football players test positive for COVID-19 at these Florida universities
At least four college football players at two state universities have tested positive for COVID-19, the respiratory illness that’s caused a global coronavirus pandemic.
Three of the players are from UCF, while one plays for Florida State.
The names of the players was not released, due to the Health Information Patient Privacy Act (HIPPA), the Orlando Sentinel reported.
Those testing positive are quarantined and isolated from others for two weeks, the Orlando Sentinel reported.
Players were allowed to return to campus this month for voluntary workouts. At UCF, three of 60 players tested positive for COVID-19.
Like at FSU, those players are in isolation for two weeks, according to a news release from the school.
“Our top priority is to ensure the health and safety of our student-athletes,” UCF vice president and director of athletics Danny White said in the release. “We will do everything necessary to support the student-athletes under our care on campus.”
The release also noted the cases were reported to the Orange County Health Department and the individuals that came into contact with the positive players were notified and traced.
According to the Tampa Bay Times, the University of Florida football team does not have any positive cases, but are awaiting the results from seven tests. The other 80 tests came back negative, the outlet reported, though school officals said Tuesday two players previously tested positive, one on campus in April and one from an athlete who was not in Gainesville at the time.
Last week, Miami Hurricanes coach Manny Diaz did not divulge to the Herald whether UM has had any players test positive after reopening its facilities.
“That’s not information we’re allowed to pass along,” Diaz told the Herald last week.
Elsewhere, players from Alabama, Auburn, Oklahoma State and Iowa have reported positive cases, according to multiple reports.
This story was originally published June 9, 2020 at 5:00 PM.
