FAYETTEVILLE -- Testing conducted last week has led to the first positive coronavirus test for a University of Arkansas student-athlete, the UA athletic department announced Thursday.
The student-athlete was not identified, nor the sport in which the player competes, but UA Athletic Director Hunter Yurachek said in a statement Thursday that the student-athlete is doing well while in quarantine off-campus.
Yurachek told reporters in a Zoom meeting last week that he had told parents of players in fall sports in a couple of video conferences that the department anticipated having a player test positive at some point. Athletes in football, men's and women's basketball, soccer, volleyball and men's and women's cross country can begin using on-campus weight rooms and training rooms Monday.
"As we prepare to welcome back a group of student-athletes to our campus for voluntary workouts on June 8, we have received notification of our first Razorback student-athlete with covid-19," Yurachek said in the statement. "The positive result was confirmed based on the results of a test conducted last week. I am pleased to report the student-athlete is doing well and self-isolating off-campus.
"Our protocol has been enacted with a continued focus on providing the student-athlete with needed medical care and support while mitigating risk to others. As I shared previously, we knew it was not a matter of if, but rather when a Razorback student-athlete would be confirmed positive. With respect for privacy, we do not plan on announcing or detailing each case as it may arise. However, it is important to use this opportunity to acknowledge the reality of the challenges ahead for all of us and affirm our continued commitment to the health, safety and well-being of our student-athletes, coaches and staff."
Yurachek said the UA was not planning on testing all athletes for the coronavirus upon their return to campus, based on recommendations from medical authorities. That policy, which includes testing athletes who show symptoms, remains in place, UA Associate Athletic Director Kevin Trainor confirmed Thursday.
Yurachek discussed protocol for a positive test last week
"Of course, the athlete that tests positive would be quarantined," he said. "There's a big discussion on the contact tracing about what is close contact. With the workout groups and the masks we're wearing, that's going to take out a lot of individuals.
"I would foresee that if an athlete tests positive, probably the people that's been in close contact with him, there's a rule that's a 6-foot rule for 15 minutes, that is one guideline. It's very vague. But I would foresee the roommates of that athlete, for sure, being quarantined along with them."
Sports on 06/05/2020