Report: Two CU football players tested positive for COVID-19

BOULDER — A pair of University of Colorado football players have tested positive for COVID-19, according to a report.

The Athletic’s Nicki Jhabvala tweeted Thursday that two CU football players have tested positive since the Buffs began testing last week.

Since @CUBuffsFootball started testing players to prepare for voluntary workouts, they’ve had two test positive for COVID-19, per source.

— Nicki Jhabvala (@NickiJhabvala) June 18, 2020

The Pac-12 allowed athletic facilities to re-open amid the pandemic on July 15. CU implemented procedures for the reopening that included testing every student-athlete before admitting them into the facilities. Additionally, locker rooms and other gathering areas won’t open until July 15 at the earliest.

Here are some pieces of the current CU Athletics protocol:

• • A seven-day quarantine for those who arrive from out-of-state before they can begin any workouts;
  • Physical exams for all student-athletes, including the approximately 150 who are already in the Boulder area (many of these have already been completed);
  • Covid-19 (PCR and Antibody) testing is a part of all physicals; an on-going testing program is in the process of being developed;
  • Entry times are staggered and physical distancing in training rooms, locker rooms, strength and conditioning facilities and all academic areas;
  • Small workout groups;
  • Continuous sanitization of all facilities and equipment, both during the workouts and in-between groups;
  • Temperature and symptom checks of anyone entering all athletic facilities, including all athletes, coaches and staff;
  • Training Table is operating under “curbside delivery” – athletes can order breakfast and lunch from a special menu one of three ways: order online, call-in or in person – and their meals will be brought to them as no seating in the facility is currently allowed; prepacked nutritional snacks will also be available for pre- and post-workouts.;
  • Limited contact with outsiders at those same facilities;
  • Furniture in all common areas have been removed for the time being.

Boulder County Public Health reported a week ago that several people who attended the Buffs’ march in protest of the killing of George Floyd tested positive for COVID-19. The county reported 17 cases originating at the march and house parties in Boulder, but didn’t say how many of the 17 cases originated in either setting.

The University of Texas reported Thursday that 13 football players tested positive for coronavirus, and a handful of other major programs have also reported cases. All 13 Texas players who tested positive are now isolating themselves, as are 10 other football players who came into contact with one of those 13.