Inter Miami player tests positive for COVID-19, may still play July 8 game. Here’s why
An Inter Miami player tested positive for COVID-19 and has been in isolation since early in the week. The unnamed player was asymptomatic and still feels fine, but had been sent home from practice after he reported in a mandatory daily health questionnaire that he had been in the company of someone who showed mild symptoms.
Inter Miami began full-squad practices on June 9 at its Fort Lauderdale training complex and, per league protocol, players have been tested every other day. Some days they undergo nasal tests, other days saliva.
No other player, coach or staff member has tested positive. The team did not practice Friday, as the club observed the Juneteenth holiday.
In order to return to the team, the player who tested positive will have to receive back-to-back negative test results, show no symptoms and be cleared by the club’s medical team. As of now, with a 14-day quarantine period, he could be back in time for the resumption of the season on July 8 in Orlando.
He was the fifth Major League Soccer player to test positive. Four were asymptomatic, one had mild symptoms. None required hospitalization.
Atlanta United announced on Thursday that one of its “first-team” players tested positive for the coronavirus with no additional staff or players testing positive. The player was asymptomatic and has been observing isolation protocol since the result. Three other MLS players tested positive earlier, an unnamed DC United player on June 13, an unnamed player from FC Dallas on June 3 and forward Kacper Przybylko from the Philadelphia Union on April 1.
“Inter Miami’s medical staff is working directly with local infectious disease specialists to treat the player, who was asymptomatic and has been observing isolation protocols since he self-identified being in close contact with an individual who showed mild symptoms during a health screening questionnaire administered daily to players,” the club said in a statement.
The team is scheduled to resume its season on July 8 against Orlando City in the opening match of the league-wide tournament at Disney’s ESPN Wide World of Sports complex in Orlando.
All 26 teams are scheduled to convene in Orlando and be sequestered at the Swan and Dolphin resort. They are required to arrive via charter plane or bus.
Prior to traveling to Orlando, all essential members of a club delegation must undergo two COVID-19 tests 24 hours apart. Players will also undergo a baseline serology (antibody) test as part of a physical exam that also includes a temperature check and the completion of a screening questionnaire.
Anyone who tests positive will not travel and will be isolated and overseen by club medical staff. Contact tracing will also be triggered to identify close contacts. Upon arrival in Orlando, all individuals will immediately receive an additional test.
Players may begin training and staff may begin working only upon receipt of a negative result from the first PCR test in Orlando.
The World Cup-style tournament format will include three group games followed by a knockout round and culminating with the championship game on Aug. 11. After that, the league is hoping to return to each team’s home markets.
Inter Miami continues to work in close consultation with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, local health authorities and MLS regarding testing and training guidelines. The club also is adhering to strict physical distancing and sanitation protocols in its facilities during team activities.
This story was originally published June 19, 2020 at 12:47 PM.