Idaho State tests athletes, high-contact staff for COVID-19. The results are promising
Idaho State announced Saturday afternoon that it has tested all athletes currently on campus for voluntary workouts and several high-contact staff members for coronavirus.
As part of its Roaring Back: Return to Play plan, Idaho State tested 115 athletes and staff members and all they all came negative, according to a news release from the school.
“These results are only a snapshot, but it is reassuring to know that so far, the protocols in place appear to be effective,” Idaho State Athletic Director Pauline Thiros said in the release. “This good outcome must not lead to complacency, but is evidence that the current practices should continue to be followed carefully.”
On June 8, Boise State confirmed multiple athletes tested positive for COVID-19 but declined to specify which sport the athletes competed in, citing federal privacy laws. The school has since declined to release the results of coronavirus tests.
Testing will be conducted again for Idaho State athletes who become symptomatic, have been exposed to confirmed cases or travel to and return from high-impact areas, according to Saturday’s release.
Idaho State will also heed emerging NCAA, Big Sky Conference, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and Southeast Idaho Public Health recommendations. Several precautions have been taken to ensure athletes are safe while training, officials said.
Players have been assigned permanent workouts groups of no more than 15 athletes. Face masks are required during workouts, groups must practice social distancing whenever possible and all equipment will be sanitized prior to and following each workout session.
Groups will arrive 15 minutes early for workouts to receive education about preventing the spread of the virus, undergo temperature checks and complete a daily self-health-monitoring questionnaire.
According to Saturday’s news release, Idaho State is also working closely with the Southeastern Idaho Public Health District to formulate a plan to allow fans into venues this fall, including Holt Arena — home of the Bengals’ football team.
Idaho State is scheduled to open the 2020 season Aug. 29 at New Mexico.
This story was originally published June 20, 2020 at 1:56 PM.
