Notre Dame postpones football game after 7 players test positive for COVID-19

SOUTH BEND, Ind. (WISH) — The University of Notre Dame announced Tuesday it was pausing its football activities and postponing a Saturday game at Wake Forest University, after seven players tested positive for coronavirus.

A total of 94 student-athletes were tested on Monday, with seven positive tests that resulted in 13 players in isolation, with 10 in quarantine, the university said Tuesday.

The game scheduled for Saturday in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, against Wake Forest University will be rescheduled, the university said.

All football-related activities are on hold until additional testing can be done, the university said.

Full statement from Notre Dame:

A total of 94 COVID-19 tests were administered to Notre Dame Football student-athletes on Monday. Of those 94, there were seven positive tests, according to University Physician Dr. Matt Leiszler. Those seven student-athletes are in isolation and their close contacts have been/are being identified.

In consultation with the St. Joseph County Department of Health, the Notre Dame Football program has decided to pause all football-related activities until further testing is completed. Combined with last week’s testing results, a total of 13 players are currently in isolation, with 10 in quarantine.

The ACC and Wake Forest have been notified, and the process of rescheduling the game originally slated for Sept. 26 is underway.

“With student-athlete health and safety our primary focus, we will continue to follow our prevention protocols and ongoing testing procedures,” said Dick Corbett Head Football Coach Brian Kelly. “We managed an increase in positivity rates in August, and the players handled it wonderfully. 

“We knew COVID would present challenges throughout the season, and we’ll always put student-athlete health and safety at the forefront of our decision making. We look forward to resuming team activities and getting back on the playing field.”