UGA athletics staff member tests positive for coronavirus, university says
A member of the University of Georgia Athletic Association has tested positive for COVID-19, the university released in an email to faculty and students.
The Georgia Department of Health reported five cases of the virus in Athens-Clarke County as of Wednesday, an increase from three cases since a day earlier. There are now 197 cases in the state, an increase of over 50 from Tuesday.
“Out of an abundance of caution, the University of Georgia is making the campus community aware of the following situation related to COVID-19,” the email read before listing the following specifics.
▪ A staff member who works in athletics was confirmed this morning to have tested positive for COVID-19. The individual was last on campus on March 6, 2020. He is being treated in a local hospital.
▪ Another member of the athletics department who had contact with the individual is under self-quarantine at home and showing no symptoms.
The university released students for spring break March 6 and has since moved to remote instruction for the remainder of the semester. UGA athletics director Greg McGarity has also instructed most of his employees to work from home.
UGA also sent a directive, in coordination with university policies, for employees who left the country over spring break to self-quarantine for a 14-day period. That includes head football coach Kirby Smart, who traveled to Costa Rica, and running backs coach Dell McGee.
The Southeastern Conference canceled all athletic competition for the academic year. Georgia canceled its G-Day spring game as a result. The university’s spring sports were cut short of nearly 100 events for all teams combined.
“This is a difficult day for all of us, and I am especially disappointed for our student-athletes,” said SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey in a statement Tuesday. “The health and well-being of our entire conference community is an ongoing priority for the SEC as we continue to monitor developments and information about the COVID-19 virus.”
UGA has also canceled all public events for the remainder of the semester, including the spring commencement ceremony inside Sanford Stadium.
“Our top priority in these uncertain times remains the health, safety and well being of all members of our campus community,” the university’s statement read. “Our ongoing efforts to maintain essential campus services and provide for continuity of instruction are in keeping with that primary concern.”
This story was originally published March 18, 2020 at 1:17 PM.