W&M HALTS ATHLETIC ACTIVITIES AS ATHLETES, STAFF TEST POSITIVE

Confirmed cases of COVID-19 include 12 people involved in athletic programs, spokeswoman says

William & Mary athletics activities were stopped departmentwide Wednesday morning so coronavirus tests could be conducted after some student-athletes and staff tested positive for the virus.

All athletes were scheduled to be tested at Kaplan Arena on Wednesday and all staff members will be tested on Thursday.

“We had a number of positive cases of COVID-19 reported over the last few days as a result of our prevalence testing and through our self-reporting system,” William & Mary spokeswoman Erin Zagursky said in a release. “They include 12 people associated with W&M Athletics, and we have temporarily paused all athletic team activities as a precaution and to conduct testing.”

Zagursky said practices and training sessions will not occur until the school is directed by Tribe Athletics’ chief medical officer, who is in close contact with other university and state health officials.

The people who tested positive were given information on how to isolate for 10 days and the next steps to take, Zagursky said.

Those who are identified as potential close contacts of the people who tested positive are being asked to quarantine for 14 days. If they are students, they will be tested for coronavirus around the seventh day of quarantine.

“W&M Athletics takes every precaution to prevent the spread of COVID-19, including physical distancing, cleaning and maskwearing. The department is following all guidelines set forth

by the university, CDC and NCAA,” Zagursky said. “We are appreciative of the quick work and care provided by our athletics personnel, case managers and quarantine/isolation housing staff.”

William & Mary Interim Director of Athletics Jeremy Martin did not return a call for a comment.

This has been a difficult week for William & Mary athletics. On Tuesday, Athletic Director Samatha Huge resigned amid widespread dissatisfaction in the campus community following a decision last month to cut seven sports.

Martin, who was William & Mary President Katherine Rowe’s chief of staff, was named the interim director of athletics.