NFL COVID-19 Positivity Rate Less Than 1% Through First Two Weeks
In a memo to clubs Wednesday, the NFL announced that less than one percent of Tier 1 and 2 individuals have tested positive for COVID-19 through the first two weeks of training camp.
The NFL told clubs today the positivity rate of COVID-19 tests among all players and other Tier 1 and Tier 2 personnel through the first two weeks of training camp has been less than 1%. But daily testing will continue “until further notice.” pic.twitter.com/M1Eg88VVQG
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) August 12, 2020
In more good news, the league also revealed that no individual team has shown a positivity rate higher than two percent.
Even though the low positivity rates are best case scenario, the league and NFLPA are still being cautious, agreeing to extend daily testing until Sept. 5.
While the two sides had originally agreed last month to reevaluate the frequency of testing if the rate of positive results was below five percent after two weeks, they are clearly making sure they cover all their bases and leaving nothing to chance as the regular season inches closer.
We have reached an agreement with the @NFL to continue daily testing through September 5th. We will continue to monitor positivity rates within each club and relevant information from each team community to inform our assessment of testing frequency ahead of the regular season.
— NFLPA (@NFLPA) August 12, 2020
Teams were also warned that testing resources are only to be used by players and club personnel, not players’ families or non-Tiered staff members. While no specific issues were mentioned in the league’s memo, there would appear to have been some instances of people being tested who are not supposed to be.
The league explained that this is to “avoid possible contamination” of samples and to avoid taxing the testing capabilities of BioReference, the private company hired by the league to handle all of its COVID-19 screening this season.
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