Mizzou athletics announces COVID-19 update: 10 total positives since testing started
Missouri athletics announced Wednesday that there are now 10 total positive COVID-19 tests with 377 tests administered.
Of the 10 positive cases, nine are student-athletes. One is a staff member, an MU spokesperson told The Star. Wednesday’s announcement represents an increase of five cases since MU’s initial update on June 25. Two weeks ago, MU had reported five positive COVID-19 cases through 308 tests.
The positive cases are the total number since Missouri started testing its student-athletes, coaches and athletic department personnel last month. Testing started ahead of June 8, when the SEC allowed voluntary workouts to begin for football, men’s basketball and women’s basketball. Since then, other MU student-athletes have been able to start voluntary workouts, too.
Any student-athletes testing positive for the novel coronavirus will follow procedures set by the athletic department, including quarantine and contact tracing.
Voluntary workouts have continued at Mizzou while other schools around the nation have shut down because of the coronavirus. Kansas and K-State have been forced to shut down because of positive test results.
Mizzou football players have spoken about trying to be safe during the pandemic, including staying away from large social gatherings, such as bars. Tight end Daniel Parker Jr. said it comes down to accountability and respect.
Starting July 13, teams will be allowed to hold mandatory weight training, conditioning and film review as part of a modified ramp-up ahead of the football season. On July 24, walk-throughs, meetings and other team activities that include coaches may begin. MU is eyeing an Aug. 7 start to football training camp.
Mizzou football is scheduled to open its football season against Central Arkansas on Sept. 5 at Faurot Field.
This story was originally published July 8, 2020 at 7:00 PM.