Voluntary Football Training Suspended After 9 Student-Athletes, Staff Members Test Positive for COVID-19

Maryland Athletics, as part of a gradual, phased approach to the return of student-athletes to campus, is working with the University Health Center to conduct regular COVID-19 testing. In preparation for this ongoing testing period, it worked with state, county and university health officials to develop appropriate protocols in the event of positive test results, including education, contact identification and tracing, and self-isolation.

On July 7-8, the University Health Center conducted on-campus screening of 185 student-athletes and staff; nine individuals tested positive for COVID-19. These nine student-athletes and staff have been notified and are currently in self-isolation, monitored by university health officials. Contact tracing is ongoing through the Prince George’s County Health Department and all identified individuals will follow a mandated 14-day self-observation period, under the supervision of university health officials.

Under guidance from the Prince George’s County Health Department, Maryland Athletics has temporarily suspended voluntary, individual training for the football program.

In previous testing of 105 individuals in June, no individual tested positive for COVID-19.

As this initial phase of the return to campus continues, Maryland Athletics will publicly release the aggregate number of positive tests at regular intervals in order to protect the privacy of those student-athletes who test positive.