Six student-athletes at the University of Houston tested positive for the coronavirus, prompting the school to shut down voluntary workouts on Friday.
The Houston Chronicle reported earlier this week that the university was not testing athletes as they returned to campus unless they had COVID-19 symptoms.
The move Friday to shut down training was “out of an abundance of caution,” according to the athletic department.
The school’s statement noted that the six cases come at a time when the city of Houston is experiencing a wave of COVID-19 infections.
The athletic department added, “The impacted students have been placed in isolation and contact tracing procedures have been initiated following protocol.
“As was contemplated prior to the return of student-athletes on June 1, UH Athletics is adapting its protocols to include repetitive COVID-19 testing as a component of any resumption of workouts on campus.
“During this pause in voluntary workouts, UH Athletics will continue its stringent cleaning and sanitization protocols in all facilities.
“UH Athletics will continue to partner with university officials, UH team physicians and local health professionals to determine best practices as it considers a return to workouts.”
College football teams were allowed by the NCAA to begin bringing players back for workouts as early as June 1, but schools were allowed to set their own timeframe based on local conditions. According to 247 Sports, 51 of the 65 schools in the Power 5 conference had started or scheduled voluntary workouts as of Friday.
The Cougars, who went 4-8 last year, are scheduled to open the 2020 season with a home game against city rival Rice on Sept. 3.
