Virginia Athletics reported just one positive COVID-19 test result Monday out of 736 tests administered to student-athletes and staff between Nov. 2 and Nov. 8. This resulted in a positivity rate of 0.1 percent. The total positivity rate of student-athletes since they returned to Grounds July 5 is now 0.9 percent.
This week’s results represent an overall decrease in total positive cases among student-athletes and staff, as two staff members tested positive last week.
“All positive tests were reported to the Thomas Jefferson Health District of the Virginia Department of Health,” the press release stated. “Those individuals will self-isolate for at least 10 days, or until symptoms are resolving plus 24-hours fever free.”
In adherence to ACC protocol, all Virginia student-athletes participating in “high-risk” sports that are in the midst of competition — which, right now, includes football, field hockey and men’s and women’s soccer — are tested three times a week. While Virginia swimming and diving began competition last week, it is considered a “low-risk” sport by the ACC Medical Advisory board, which means its team members are not required to undergo asymptomatic testing.
All COVID-19 testing for Virginia student-athletes is administered by U.Va. Health with the exception of the testing the football team receives the day before games. This set of tests is administered by Mako Medical — an independent third-party, North Carolina-based laboratory.
Virginia football did not compete this weekend, as its game against Louisville was rescheduled due to a COVID-19 outbreak within the Cardinals’ program. Fifteen players and staff tested positive along with seven more who were quarantined. The game was postponed to this upcoming weekend as both teams had a bye scheduled. Louisville Athletics Director Vince Tyra noted that the rescheduling was not assured, and said if a continued spread of the virus was recognized, then the program would continue to be put on hold.
Virginia had planned on allowing 150 students to attend the Saturday game before it was rescheduled, a number which would still keep the number of attendees below the Commonwealth’s regulated number of 1,000 attendees.
In other ACC football news, Notre Dame has drawn criticism and concern after students stormed the field following its upset win over Clemson. Notre Dame President Rev. John Jenkins expressed his disappointment in the students that participated in the celebration which left little room for social distancing, and some students were seen not following mask guidelines. Players left the field immediately following the win so as to avoid contact with the students. The event drew extra attention as South Bend, Ind. as well as the rest of the United States has seen a surge in cases in recent days.
On the other hand, the University has maintained a relatively low number of cases among faculty, staff, students and contract employees. As of Monday, there are a total of 41 active cases of COVID-19 in the University community, of which 24 are students. Currently, 2 percent of the University’s quarantine dorms are filled, along with 0 percent of its isolation dorms, the former which are reserved for students who have been exposed to and the latter for those who tested positive for COVID-19.
These statistics are updated on the University’s COVID Tracker Monday through Friday at 4 p.m. and include nearly all tests administered to student-athletes, with the exception of the football team’s round of testing conducted 24 hours before game day.
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