MANHATTAN, Kan. —
The coronavirus is starting to take a toll on the Kansas State football team.
Kansas State Athletics confirmed Wednesday night that a total of eight student-athletes have tested positive for active COVID-19 following PCR testing of approximately 130 student-athletes through June 17.
One day after K-State athletics announced two student-athletes tested positive for COVID-19, the Wildcats confirmed six additional student-athletes have tested positive for the virus.
While the university did not say which sports the athletes played when they made the initial announcement on Tuesday, university Athletic Director Gene Taylor said they were prepared for positive tests based on what other college football departments are seeing. In addition, football players are the only athletes permitted to be in town until July 1, when other fall sport athletes can return to campus.
The school said each student-athlete that tests positive is medically managed according to current local, state, national and CDC guidelines, which begins with self-isolation for 10 days and until the patient is without fever for 72 hours without medication, whichever takes longer.
“These guidelines would also include quarantine for any individuals known to have been in contact with someone who tested positive,” the school said in a news release. “The department will continue to work closely and communicate with county and university health officials to evaluate the situation and continue best practices.”
ORIGINAL STORY
According to a report, the coronavirus is starting to take a toll on the Kansas State football team.
One day after K-State athletics announced two student-athletes tested positive for COVID-19, the Manhattan Mercury reported that four more football players have tested positive for the virus.
Manhattan public information officer Vivienne Uccello told The Mercury Wednesday morning that of six new cases in Riley County, four were K-State football players. The report added that all six players contracted the coronavirus in other states and brought it back to Manhattan with them.
While the university did not say which sports the athletes played when the made the initial announcement on Tuesday, university Athletic Director Gene Taylor said they were prepared for positive tests based on what other college football departments are seeing.
In addition, football players are the only athletes permitted to be in town until July 1, when other fall sport athletes can return to campus.
“We will always keep our focus on the health and well-being of our student-athletes and staff,” Taylor said on Tuesday. “A small number of positive tests was something that we were anticipating based on what we are seeing from across college football, and our medical staff and coaching staffs are well-prepared for the next steps."
University officials said the positive test results on Tuesday were returned as part of the on-boarding process of approximately 120 athletes with new safety protocols.
The university said student-athletes are required to follow the department's new return-to-campus policy, which includes a recommended seven-day stay-at-home period before coming to campus, and quarantine upon arrival in Manhattan, and prior to testing.
Student athletes are not allowed in department facilities and cannot participate in team activities until a negative test result is returned.
Officials said the athletics department will continue to be rested as they return to campus and will not be released for activity until the results are back and negative for coronavirus.
Any student-athlete who tests positive is medically managed following state, local and CDC guidelines, the department said. This includes self-isolation for 10 days, or until the patient is fever-free for at least 72 hours without medication, whichever takes longer.
"While we know this is a very fluid situation, we have a great plan in place and all of our student-athletes have done their part in following the correct procedures to return to campus," Taylor said.
The coronavirus is starting to take a toll on the Kansas State football team.
Kansas State Athletics confirmed Wednesday night that a total of eight student-athletes have tested positive for active COVID-19 following PCR testing of approximately 130 student-athletes through June 17.
One day after K-State athletics announced two student-athletes tested positive for COVID-19, the Wildcats confirmed six additional student-athletes have tested positive for the virus.
While the university did not say which sports the athletes played when they made the initial announcement on Tuesday, university Athletic Director Gene Taylor said they were prepared for positive tests based on what other college football departments are seeing. In addition, football players are the only athletes permitted to be in town until July 1, when other fall sport athletes can return to campus.
The school said each student-athlete that tests positive is medically managed according to current local, state, national and CDC guidelines, which begins with self-isolation for 10 days and until the patient is without fever for 72 hours without medication, whichever takes longer.
“These guidelines would also include quarantine for any individuals known to have been in contact with someone who tested positive,” the school said in a news release. “The department will continue to work closely and communicate with county and university health officials to evaluate the situation and continue best practices.”
ORIGINAL STORY
According to a report, the coronavirus is starting to take a toll on the Kansas State football team.
One day after K-State athletics announced two student-athletes tested positive for COVID-19, the Manhattan Mercury reported that four more football players have tested positive for the virus.
Manhattan public information officer Vivienne Uccello told The Mercury Wednesday morning that of six new cases in Riley County, four were K-State football players. The report added that all six players contracted the coronavirus in other states and brought it back to Manhattan with them.
While the university did not say which sports the athletes played when the made the initial announcement on Tuesday, university Athletic Director Gene Taylor said they were prepared for positive tests based on what other college football departments are seeing.
In addition, football players are the only athletes permitted to be in town until July 1, when other fall sport athletes can return to campus.
“We will always keep our focus on the health and well-being of our student-athletes and staff,” Taylor said on Tuesday. “A small number of positive tests was something that we were anticipating based on what we are seeing from across college football, and our medical staff and coaching staffs are well-prepared for the next steps."
University officials said the positive test results on Tuesday were returned as part of the on-boarding process of approximately 120 athletes with new safety protocols.
The university said student-athletes are required to follow the department's new return-to-campus policy, which includes a recommended seven-day stay-at-home period before coming to campus, and quarantine upon arrival in Manhattan, and prior to testing.
Student athletes are not allowed in department facilities and cannot participate in team activities until a negative test result is returned.
Officials said the athletics department will continue to be rested as they return to campus and will not be released for activity until the results are back and negative for coronavirus.
Any student-athlete who tests positive is medically managed following state, local and CDC guidelines, the department said. This includes self-isolation for 10 days, or until the patient is fever-free for at least 72 hours without medication, whichever takes longer.
"While we know this is a very fluid situation, we have a great plan in place and all of our student-athletes have done their part in following the correct procedures to return to campus," Taylor said.
