The University of Wisconsin announced Wednesday, July 8, that seven student-athletes have tested positive for COVID-19.
That number comes after 428 tests over the past month, the last time the athletic department released data regarding its COVID-19 testing. These individuals were quarantined and their recoveries are being monitored by UW Athletics' Infection Response Team, and contact tracing was conducted to determine exposure to others. UW is not releasing figures regarding how many student-athletes are self-isolating due to exposure.
The football and volleyball teams were allowed to return to campus June 8, and voluntary workouts began June 15. Other teams were expected to be brought back to campus throughout the summer, but the exact number of student-athletes on campus wasn't reported. An email seeking confirmation from UW Wednesday was not answered.
UW's first round of tests in early June, conducted on 117 football and volleyball athletes, resulted in two positive tests.
COVID-19 cases are being reported to local and state health officials, but there is no requirement to report them to the Big Ten Conference, according to a UW official.
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Student-athletes who returned to UW's campus earlier this month completed health information forms, underwent a physical exam and took a PCR nasal swab test for COVID-19. They will be tested again if they report symptoms or believe they've come in contact with someone who has tested positive for coronavirus. Daily screenings are taking place before athletes are allowed into workouts, and masks must be worn before and after workouts.
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