One USC athlete tested for coronavirus and another self-quarantined, Ray Tanner says
South Carolina Athletics Director Ray Tanner said one Gamecocks student-athlete has been tested for the coronavirus (COVID-19).
Another student-athlete came from a country with a Level 3 travel health notice, and that individual is now on self-quarantine.
“We have one athlete that came from a level three zone,” Tanner said, “that is in quarantine at present time. So self quarantined, asymptomatic if you will. ... And one student-athlete that I’m aware of that has been tested.”
Tanner said he did not know the outcome of that test. He did not specify either student-athlete’s sport.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, countries with a Level 3 travel health notice (widespread, ongoing transmission) are China, Iran and South Korea; as well as Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Monaco, San Marino, Vatican City.
If athletes show symptoms, Tanner said they’re being told to contact their trainer and the trainer will contact a doctor.
“I’m told the test kits are available, if recommend by a doctor, but that’s not that’s not gonna be specific to student-athletes,” Tanner said.
The SEC earlier Friday extended the suspension of games through April 15 because of coronavirus concerns. The league added team activities and practices to the list of things that are prohibited.
Athletic facilities, including weight rooms, will be closed. Any final team meetings must take place by 5 p.m. Monday, according to the SEC.
It was too soon to know if such sports as baseball and softball would be able to resume their seasons, Tanner said.
USC was on spring break this week, and Gamecocks athletes who were not on campus are being encouraged to remain away, Tanner said. Athletes on campus can stay or leave.
Here’s the full SEC statement Friday related to the suspension of games and team activities:
“The Southeastern Conference today announced that all athletics activities, including competitions, team and individual practices, meetings and other organized gatherings, will be suspended through at least April 15, due to continuing developments related to the coronavirus (COVID-19).
The SEC had previously announced that all competition was suspended until March 30.
That suspension of competition has been extended through April 15 and now includes all organized team activities.
SEC athletics programs will cease practices, individual and team workouts effective the end of the day Friday, March 13.
Team meetings shall conclude no later than 5 pm local time on Monday, March 16.
SEC member institutions will continue to provide their student-athletes with care and support to meet needs in areas including academics, medical care, mental health and wellness, nutrition and housing as needed.”
This story was originally published March 13, 2020 at 7:36 PM.
