Illinois, NU see COVID issues

Illinois announced Monday that at least 18 football players have tested positive for COVID-19 since returning to school for workouts in June.

A news release from the university said that 23 athletes in all sports and two staff members tested positive and that the 100-plus football players on campus ‘‘accounted for greater than 75% of the positive tests.’’

The school said four athletes experienced symptoms but none required hospitalization.

Meanwhile, Northwestern announced it is pausing football workouts after a player tested positive for COVID-19. The player is isolating and several teammates are quarantining, the school said.

The Wildcats’ most recent workout was Friday, and their next one will be Wednesday at the earliest.