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UofL pauses 4 sports after dozens of athletes get COVID-19 linked to off-campus party

UofL pauses 4 sports after dozens of athletes get COVID-19 linked to off-campus party
OUT-BREAK WAS A PARTY NEAR CAMPUS LAST SATURDAY. REPORTER: THE MOST INFECTED STUDENT-ATHLETES ARE IN MEN’S SOCCER. >> I AM FRUSTRATED WITH WHAT HAS OCCURRED. REPORTER: WOMEN’S SOCCER WAS ALSO HIT. >> IT’S AN APOLOGETIC, SOMBER GROUP. FROM THE STUDENT ATHLETES, THEY RECOGNIZE THAT THEY HAVE LET THEMSELVES DOWN. REPORTER: WOMEN’S VOLLEYBALL IS ALSO AFFECTED. >> IT CAN SPREAD QUICKLY. THEY WILL HAVE TEMPTATIONS OF BEING A NORMAL KID FROM 18 TO 22. REPORTER: AND THERE ARE SICK KIDS IN WOMEN’S FIELD HOCKEY AS WELL. >> THIS IS A PANDEMIC YOU CAN’T EMPHASIZE ENOUGH. THEY HAVE A FEELING OF INVINCIBILITY THAT THEY SHOULDN’T HAVE. IT IS HEARTBREAKING TODAY. REPORTER: U OF L ATHELTIC DIRECTOR VINCE TYRA SAYS OTHERS IN OTHER SPORTS WERE HIT TOO. BUT NOT FOOTBALL. BUT THIS SHOULD MAKE ALL INVOLVED TAKE PAUSE OF THE FRAGILITY OF THE SITUATION. AND IF THE COVID-19 PROTOCOLS ARE NOT FOLLOWED, THEIR SEASONS COULD END VIRTUALLY OVERNIGHT. >> FAIR WARNING SHOT FOR REMAINDER WHO SHOULD BE TAKING THIS SERIOUSLY. REPORTER: AND THERE WILL NOT BE A MULLIGAN FOR THOSE WHO DON’T. TYRA SAYS HE HAS MAY OPTIONS AT HIS DISPOSAL FOR REPEAT OFFENDERS. INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO. DISMISSAL FROM THEIR TEAMS. FROM U OF L, I’M FRED COWGILL, WLKY SPORTS. VICKI: VINCE TYRA SAYS ACTIVITIES WERE SUSPENDED ON MONDAY. ATHLETES WHO HAVE NOT TESTED POSITIVE OR HAVE NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED THROUGH CONTACT TRACING WILL BE ALLOWE
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UofL pauses 4 sports after dozens of athletes get COVID-19 linked to off-campus party
The University of Louisville is temporarily stopping workouts for four fall sports after several student athletes tested positive for the coronavirus.Officials in the athletics department said they are suspending workouts for men's and women's soccer, field hockey and volleyball for the next week after it was found that 29 athletes total had contracted COVID-19. UofL Vice President/Director of Athletics Vince Tyra said eight cases were discovered Monday, and by Wednesday, that number had increased to 29.He said most of the cases were asymptomatic, but said there were some who had aches and fevers. The university said it conducted contact tracing and found the primary source of the spread was an off-campus party Saturday night."I'm incredibly frustrated and disappointed,” Tyra said.Activities were suspended Monday. Team members from the four sports programs who have not tested positive or been identified through contact tracing may be permitted to return to workouts on campus beginning Monday, Aug. 10. "Though all student-athletes have been well-educated about the dangers of social gatherings to themselves and to others, UofL leaders have again reinforced the necessity to adhere to state, local, and Center for Disease Control (CDC) medical guidelines and procedures for the health and safety of all," Kenny Klein, senior associate athletic director/sports information director, said.This has had no affect on football at this point, Tyra said.

The University of Louisville is temporarily stopping workouts for four fall sports after several student athletes tested positive for the coronavirus.

Officials in the athletics department said they are suspending workouts for men's and women's soccer, field hockey and volleyball for the next week after it was found that 29 athletes total had contracted COVID-19.

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UofL Vice President/Director of Athletics Vince Tyra said eight cases were discovered Monday, and by Wednesday, that number had increased to 29.

He said most of the cases were asymptomatic, but said there were some who had aches and fevers.

The university said it conducted contact tracing and found the primary source of the spread was an off-campus party Saturday night.

"I'm incredibly frustrated and disappointed,” Tyra said.

Activities were suspended Monday. Team members from the four sports programs who have not tested positive or been identified through contact tracing may be permitted to return to workouts on campus beginning Monday, Aug. 10.

"Though all student-athletes have been well-educated about the dangers of social gatherings to themselves and to others, UofL leaders have again reinforced the necessity to adhere to state, local, and Center for Disease Control (CDC) medical guidelines and procedures for the health and safety of all," Kenny Klein, senior associate athletic director/sports information director, said.

This has had no affect on football at this point, Tyra said.