Houston has suspended all voluntary workouts after six symptomatic student-athletes tested positive for COVID-19. The announcement came Friday afternoon, less than two weeks after the university allowed athletes to return to campus on June 1. According to a release from the school, impacted students have been placed in isolation and contact-tracing procedures have been initiated.
The decision also comes amid a second wave in Texas with Houston emerging as a COVID-19 hotspot since Memorial Day. The NCAA allowed a moratorium on voluntary offseason workouts to expire on May 31, paving the way for athletes to return to campus beginning June 1. While multiple programs across the country have had athletes test positive for COVID-19, this marks the first time a FBS school has suspended workouts because of it.
However, according to Joseph Duarte of the Houston Chronicle, Houston only conducted tests on athletes as they returned to campus if they showed symptoms.
Of note: Houston did not conduct COVID-19 tests as athletes returned to campus last week. Plans are to only test if a player shows symptoms. https://t.co/cdvMYPWjTS
— Joseph Duarte (@Joseph_Duarte) June 9, 2020
The NCAA recommended a six-week preseason calendar to start the 2020 season on time beginning in mid-July. That's roughly one month away. While Houston is in a new hotbed of COVID-19 cases, it wouldn't be surprising if other programs were forced to suspend activities as well if cases rise. While college football works towards a normal starting date, the latest hiccup is a reminder that the 2020 season will likely be anything but normal.
