UTPB Athletics COVID-19 update

The UT Permian Basin Athletics Department has continued to work diligently to minimize the risk of exposure for student-athletes to COVID-19. Per NCAA guidelines, all student-athletes were tested upon returning to campus last week. Out of 463 tests, only 10 student-athletes and 2 staff members have tested positive for COVID-19. These individuals immediately began a 14-day period of isolation. Furthermore, the student-athletes will not be allowed to return to contact with others until approval from the team physician.

Per CDC guidelines, the UTPB Case Management Team has reached out to those who may have come into close contact with the studentathletes and/or staff. All individuals potentially exposed are now in quarantine. At this time approximately 80 individuals are in quarantine. The University has taken a proactive approach to help contain the spread of the virus.

This positivity rate is well below the national average of six percent and significantly below the 18 percent positivity rate in the state of Texas.

“Student-athlete welfare is and always will be our number one priority,” said Director of Athletics Scott Farmer. “Our athletic training staff has done a remarkable job in creating and implementing protocols to reduce the risk of exposure to COVID-19.”