‘Multiple’ Boise State athletes test positive for COVID-19 as workouts begin
The return of workouts to the Boise State campus started with a sour note as multiple Bronco athletes tested positive for COVID-19, the university confirmed Monday.
Citing federal privacy laws, Boise State declined to say how many or what sport those athletes played.
“There were multiple positives and those individuals will follow the advice of health care providers before returning to campus and joining their teams for voluntary workouts,” Boise State’s written statement read.
Football and women’s soccer athletes started returning to campus last week, the Idaho Statesman previously reported. About 40 athletes first had to undergo COVID-19 testing before voluntary workouts could begin Monday, Boise State spokesperson Joe Nickell said.
Workouts were held Monday for athletes who did not test positive and passed a medical screening.
“Any student-athlete that was potentially exposed will not return to campus for physicals and clearance until follow-up testing determines it is safe for them to return,” Nickell wrote in a text message to the Idaho Statesman.
More athletes in those sports and other fall sports were scheduled to return to campus this week with the goal of getting cleared to start workouts next week.
Boise State joins a growing list of universities where athletes have tested positive for the disease caused by the coronavirus once returning to campus. Athletes at Alabama, Auburn, Texas Tech, Iowa, Oklahoma State, Marshall and Arkansas State have tested positive, multiple outlets have reported.
This story was originally published June 8, 2020 at 5:32 PM.
