Just as training camps were starting to pick up and leagues were moving forward with their return-to-play plans, it was announced on Friday that a number of players and staff members across various leagues tested positive for COVID-19. Many of the players were at training camps in Florida, which has seen a recent spike in cases. It was also announced on Friday that Toronto Maple Leafs forward Auston Matthews tested positive and is quarantining at his home in Arizona.
Every single sport will shut down. It is for the best. The numbers are way to high in Florida and it is not smart to have sports. Right now all we can do is be hopeful that there will be a season next season for sports 2020 is done
— rickyrosas (@rickyusc13) June 19, 2020
The Phillies are in the process of determining the size of an outbreak at their Clearwater, Fla., training complex after a positive test for COVID-19 earlier in the week prompted the club to close its facility. While eight of the 16 people tested have been positive for the virus, according to the team, the true extent of the outbreak is unknown because 32 players and staff members are awaiting test results.
The Phillies, three sources said, immediately moved to conduct as much contact tracing as possible to better understand the extent of the outbreak. The club has declined to comment on how they will do this.
Three Lightning players and additional staff members have tested positive for the coronavirus, the organization said Friday.
The positive tests came up as part of the twice-weekly testing, a league requirement under the Phase 2 protocol. The organization is waiting on results of more tests and is performing contact tracing.
The National Football League is also taking a hit with the coronavirus pandemic.
One of the #49ers players who was working out in Nashville tested positive for Covid, sources tell me and @RapSheet. The rest of the group is getting tested and trying to figure out how and when they can travel. Some guys live there so they’ll just hunker down.
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) June 19, 2020
— Mr Chu Kok (@ItrollALLCAPSBR) June 19, 2020
Multiple players working out at the Blue Jays facility said they had not yet been tested. If the player is not an isolated case, testing will ramp up. “We are being overly precautious with testing,” Blue Jays GM Ross Atkins told ESPN.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) June 19, 2020
