COVID-19 Infections Prompt UNLV Officials To Scrub Saturday’s UNLV vs Colorado State Football Game In Colorado
By Alan Snel of LVSportsBiz.com
Four COVID-19 infections in UNLV’s football program has resulted in the university not playing its scheduled game against Colorado State in Fort Collins, Colorado Saturday.
Here is Athletic Director Desiree Reed-Francois’ statement released Wednesday afternoon: “Based on four positive COVID-19 test results in our football program, the resulting contact tracing, and consulting with our medical and epidemiology experts, UNLV will not travel this weekend for its scheduled game at Colorado State and has informed the Mountain West and Colorado State.
“Over the past six weeks, more than 2,600 tests have been administered to UNLV football student-athletes, coaches and staff with a positivity rate of less than 0.6 percent. Unfortunately, with a surge in cases in the Las Vegas community and despite the efforts of our student-athletes, coaches and staff to adhere to health and safety protocols, the decision to not play this weekend is in the best health and safety interests of all involved.”
It’s become a routine part of college football in 2020: Football games postponed or cancelled because of too many COVID-infected players.
The threat of the coronavirus pandemic even prompted the NFL to switch a Las Vegas Raiders vs Tampa Bay Bucs game from Sunday primetime to a 1 PM start in Las Vegas several weeks ago. About a quarter-million Americans have died from the novel coronavirus. It forced a lockdown in Las Vegas in April and May, and restrictions have returned in some parts of the country because of the high number of spiking COVID-19 cases recently.
The Raiders dealt with the COVID issue again Wednesday by placing seven defensive players on the COVID-19 list for being close contacts with teammate Clelin Ferrell, who tested positive for the coronavirus. Ferrell, a starting defensive end, was placed on the list Tuesday following his positive test, along with defensive back Lamarcus Joyner.
UNLV’s football coach, Marcus Arroyo, added: “We are very disappointed to not be playing CSU this weekend but understand the circumstances. The health and safety of our players and staff remains our top priority and we are proud of the lengths everyone has gone through to play football in 2020. We look forward to playing again as soon as possible.”
UNLV did not identify the infected members of the football program.
