Miami opponent UAB has players test positive for COVID-19. Hurricanes’ opener still on
The Miami Hurricanes open the football season against Alabama-Birmingham at 8 tonight at Hard Rock Stadium, and the UAB coach on Wednesday revealed that “a couple guys’’ on his team just tested positive for the coronavirus.
Now, the question: How many, if any, Hurricanes will be unavailable for the game for any reasons — such as injuries or suspensions or positive coronavirus tests? UM is expected to release to the media who, if anyone, is out for the game tonight, but if it’s because of a positive test, those specifics are not expected to be released.
The Blazers reportedly had clean coronavirus tests the past several weeks, as UM reported the same the past few weeks after having three unidentified Canes football players test positive in mid-July.
But UAB coach Bill Clark told WBRC News in Birmingham on Wednesday, as the team was about to head to the airport for the Miami trip, that some of his players tested positive and wouldn’t make the trip.
WBRC reported that the players were not starters.
“We got a couple of guys that won’t be going with us this time,” Clark told WBRC. “Other than that we did great. We’ve still done really well.
“We’re testing now three times a week ourselves and we’re testing when we get there with the ACC. We’re testing more than probably anybody in the country right now. Extra safe, extra cautious. We’ll have masks on on the bus, on the plane. We’re doing everything we can.”
During game weeks, ACC protocols call for COVID-19 testing 72 hours before a game, which for UM would have been Monday this week, as well as 24 hours before a game (Wednesday) and the day after the game (Friday). Those same protocols must be met by nonconference teams playing against ACC teams this season.
Players identified as having close contact (within six feet for at least 15 minutes) with anyone who tests positive must quarantine for at least 14 days, even if that close contact should test negative for the virus.
Positive test results of any player, coach or support staff, who came into close contact (see above) with any member of the opposing team played during the preceding 48 hours must be shared “as quickly as possible and no later than 24 hours following receipt of the test result, to any such opponent,’’ according to the ACC.
If a player tests positive after a game played during the previous 48 hours, the infected individual’s role on the team (e.g. offensive lineman, quarterback, linebacker, assistant coach, athletic trainer) must be reported to the opponent, as well as a summary of their interactions with the opposing team (e.g. played in the second half). According to privacy laws, the infected person’s name may not be shared, unless that person authorizes approval.
“I think we’re doing everything we can do — masks, hand sanitizer, testing,” Clark told WBRC. “That’s why I’d say these guys are safer with us than probably anywhere in the country.”
Miami quarterback D’Eriq King was asked by the Miami Herald during a Zoom interview on Tuesday how nerve-racking it is waiting for the results of the tests — not just for himself, but for his teammates as well.
“This coronavirus thing is new to everybody,’’ King said, “so every time I take a test or my teammates take a test it’s always nerve-racking. But I think if guys are doing the right thing, staying in the building, going home after practice and just preparing that way, just trying to be the best we can be during the coronavirus, I think everybody should be fine.
“It is what it is. We take a lot of tests. It’s rare to catch it in a day or a couple hours. I hope everybody is staying safe.”
