Nate Allen
FAYETTEVILLE - One publicly unnamed Arkansas Razorbacks athlete has tested positive for coronavirus COVID-19, Arkansas Athletic Director Hunter Yurachek announced Thursday.
Razorbacks in the fall semester sports of football, men’s and women’s basketball, men’s and women’s cross country, women’s soccer and women’s volleyball have undergone physical examinations and, if reporting symptoms, tests for coronavirus.
Starting Monday all those athletes except for incoming freshmen are allowed voluntarily to participate in weightlifting and conditioning drills in UA weight rooms and facilities that have been closed to them since mid March when college sports cancelled all competition and organized practices because of the coronavirus pandemic.
“As we prepare to welcome back a group of student-athletes to our campus for voluntary workouts on June 8, we have received notification of our first Razorback student-athlete with COVID-19,” Yurachek said Thursday through a UA statement. “The positive result was confirmed based on the results of a test conducted last week. I am pleased to report the student-athlete is doing well and self-isolating off campus.”
Yurachek when announcing the June 8 weights and conditioining startups said plans were in place to isolate and treat any athletes or staff contracting COVID-19.
“Our protocol has been enacted with a continued focus on providing the student-athlete with needed medical care and support while mitigating risk to others,” Yurachek said Thursday. “As I shared previously, we knew it was not a matter of if, but rather when a Razorback student-athlete would be confirmed positive. With respect for privacy, we do not plan on announcing or detailing each case as it may arise. However, it is important to use this opportunity to acknowledge the reality of the challenges ahead for all of us and affirm our continued commitment to the health, safety and well-being of our student-athletes, coaches and staff.”
Trainers and strength and conditioning coaches will attend all the June voluntary workouts but coaches of the athletes’ sports are not allowed to coach or even witness the June workouts.