Since the University of Colorado began testing student-athletes for the coronavirus three weeks ago, four have tested positive, according to athletic director Rick George.
After a three-month hiatus caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, CU athletes resumed voluntary on-campus workouts on June 15. George, however, told BuffZone on Monday that the tests “go back to June 1, so we had some that really were just here that tested that weren’t really doing anything other than going to summer school.”
More than 100 student-athletes remained on campus throughout the pandemic. With the start of voluntary workouts, most of the players from the football team and men’s basketball team have returned to Boulder this month. Dozens of student-athletes from other teams are on campus, as well.
George declined to say which sports the athletes who tested positive play. He was unsure how many of the four have symptoms of COVID-19 or whether they are asymptomatic.
Another source from CU declined to provide more information, other than to tell BuffZone that the athletes are “going through proper protocols.”
George said the football players who have come back to campus have been tested twice to this point. He said he’s pleased overall with CU’s protocols, including symptom and temperature checks for anyone who enters the Buffs’ facilities.
“We’ve been really thoughtful about our student-athletes and them arriving and our staff that are in the facility, as well,” George said. “I’m pleased with that and I’m pleased with how it’s going at this point. It’s been a lot of ups and downs through this process.”
As voluntary workouts have resumed around the country this month, several schools have reported positive COVID-19 tests.
According to reports, Clemson has had 28 members of the athletic department test positive, including 23 football players. Most of them have been asymptomatic.
Houston suspended its voluntary workouts on June 12 after six student-athletes tested positive, with COVID-19 symptoms. At Kansas State, voluntary workouts for football have been halted for two weeks after 14 athletic department members tested positive.
Defending national champion LSU has quarantined at least 30 football players because of positive tests or being in contact with someone who tested positive.
A report by USAToday.com on Sunday listed 35 Football Bowl Division schools, not including CU, that had reported at least one positive COVID-19 test.
