The University of Wisconsin football team has suspended all team-related activities for at least seven days due to an increase in the number of COVID-19 cases, and the ninth Badgers match against Nebraska on Saturday was cancelled.
The game schedule will not change.
As of Wednesday morning, 12 people in the program had tested positive for coronavirus in the last five days. The total includes six staff, including six student athletes and head coach Paul Cristo.
“I received the news this morning that the PCR test I did yesterday tested positive,” Christo said in a statement released by the university on Wednesday. “I told the staff and team this morning that I’m currently in quarantine at home. As of this morning, I’m feeling sick and feeling good.
“I’m disappointed with the players and coaching staff who are preparing to play every week, but the safety of everyone in the program must be a top priority and we support the decision to suspend team activities.” Told.
The university said the decision to suspend team activities was made jointly by athletic director Barry Alvarez and prime minister Rebecca Blank.
“From the beginning, we have said that the health and safety of student athletes, coaches and staff is paramount,” Alvarez said in a statement. “In the last few days, student athletes and staff have become more infected with the virus. Our responsibility is to suspend football-related activities for at least seven days.”
Earlier this week, sources told ESPN about Badgers quarterbacks. Graham Meltz His COVID-19 positive test has been confirmed and will not appear for at least 21 days.
Meltz, who defeated Illinois in the opening round of the Wisconsin season last Friday, returned positive on the coronavirus antigen test over the weekend. He underwent a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test on Monday to confirm the results.
Big Ten’s policy requires players who test positive for COVID-19 to miss at least 21 days and undergo a heart screening before returning home.
Third string quarterback Chase Wolf A report by the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel was also confirmed and tested positive, according to sources. If Wolf’s positive test is confirmed, he also misses at least 21 days before returning to action.
An Illinois spokesman said he was unaware of the Illinois positive test as of Wednesday morning.
Wisconsin’s next upcoming match will face Purdue on November 7.
ESPN’s Adam Rittenberg contributed to this report.
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