Arizona interrupted its plan to get athletes back on campus on Monday, citing an increase in COVID-19 cases in Pima County and the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on the local health system.
On June 15, the school began returning athletes to groups of approximately 20 people for voluntary training sessions, with new groups arriving every week. Arizona said Monday that it only got a positive COVID-19 result after 83 athletes had been tested in the past few weeks.
Arizona is waiting to see if training with athletes who are already on campus can continue after Governor Doug Ducey on Monday ordered all state gyms to close for 30 days due to the COVID-19 spike should. Arizona reported 3,858 positive COVID-19 cases on Sunday, the highest total in one day and the seventh report of more than 3,000 cases in the past 10 days. Pima County now has more than 7,500 confirmed cases.
“The health, safety and well-being of all members of our community are top priorities for us,” said Dave Heeke, Arizona Athletics Director, in a prepared statement. “We will continue to work with campus partners and our local government agencies to support and evaluate a safe and healthy return to campus.”
The Arizona soccer team hoped to start official activities on July 6 as they prepare for a season opener against Hawaii on August 29.
“Our mission has always been to ensure the safety of our student athletes, staff and the community,” said Dr. Stephen Paul of CATS Medical Services in a prepared statement. “Health and safety continues to be the driving force in our re-entry process. We will continue to monitor the status and impact of COVID-19 in our community, as well as our ongoing and safe training of athletes who are already on campus. Athletics in Arizona will to do this.” assess when to re-enter the re-entry process in collaboration with the University of Arizona guidelines and protocols, the Pac-12 Conference, the NCAA, and state and local government agencies. “
.
