Kansas basketball coach Bill Self revealed on Friday that he has tested positive for COVID-19 and has entered into a period of isolation after contracting the virus. Self said he is fully vaccinated and "feeling pretty good right now."
Self had minor symptoms Thursday and decided to test out of an abundance of caution before he hit the recruiting trail. His initial test on Thursday and a subsequent test Friday both confirmed the diagnosis.
"I was excited to get back on the road today to see some recruits at various tournaments this week," Self said in a statement, "but I tested positive for COVID-19 and am in isolation."
Self, 58, also in his statement urged people to get vaccinated. Only 54.8% of Kansas residents 18 and older are fully vaccinated according to the New York Times, which is below the average of roughly 60% nation-wide.
"If you have not, please get vaccinated so we don't have to worry about this virus continuing to affect our communities and loved ones," he said. "I fully believe I would be in a much worse condition if not for the vaccine."
Self has been vaccinated against COVID-19 for months and while Kansas' program has stopped short of mandating it, he said in March that he anticipates his entire team will get the jab before arriving on campus this summer.
"I know that anything to give us a little more normalcy and to allow us to move about in a way that gives us a little freedom, I think all the players and families were welcome to that as far as I know," he told the Kansas City Star in March. "I do know it (vaccine) has been made available but I don't know exactly what everyone has done."
