Earlier today we found out via Pete Thamel that Notre Dame was cancelling their Tuesday practice due to an outbreak of COVID-19 with the team. Monday saw the University announce that four players had tested positive in the most recent round of testing and Brian Kelly was very adamant about players wearing masks and making smart decisions during his post game speech to the team Saturday.
Per the University of Notre Dame Athletic Department the schools are yet to officially decide on a rescheduled date.
The following is the official release from Notre Dame Athletics on Tuesday afternoon:
Notre Dame Football Game at Wake Forest Postponed
NOTRE DAME, Indiana — A total of 94 COVID-19 tests were administered to Notre Dame Football student-athletes on Monday. Of those 94, there were seven positive tests, according to University Physician Dr. Matt Leiszler. Those seven student-athletes are in isolation and their close contacts have been/are being identified.
In consultation with the St. Joseph County Department of Health, the Notre Dame Football program has decided to pause all football-related activities until further testing is completed. Combined with last week’s testing results, a total of 13 players are currently in isolation, with 10 in quarantine.
The ACC and Wake Forest have been notified, and the process of rescheduling the game originally slated for Sept. 26 is underway.
“With student-athlete health and safety our primary focus, we will continue to follow our prevention protocols and ongoing testing procedures,” said Dick Corbett Head Football Coach Brian Kelly. “We managed an increase in positivity rates in August, and the players handled it wonderfully.
“We knew COVID would present challenges throughout the season, and we’ll always put student-athlete health and safety at the forefront of our decision making. We look forward to resuming team activities and getting back on the playing field.”
13 players being in isolation is currently an eye-popping number and ten more being in quarantine clearly doesn’t help measures. Here’s to hoping nothing overly serious comes of any of these cases.