COVID cases SPIKE among VACCINATED sports professionals world-wide
December 14, 2021 in News by RBN Staff
Here’s How The NBA, NFL, NHL And EPL Are Handling Record Covid-19 Outbreaks
Source: Forbes
TOPLINE
Major professional sports leagues across North America and Europe are grappling with their worst Covid-19 outbreaks since vaccinations became widely available to players, reflecting a significant uptick in Covid-19 cases in their home countries.
The Premier League reported its highest-ever number of Covid-19 cases Monday. VISIONHAUS
KEY FACTS
The English Premier League reported Monday that 42 players and staff tested positive for Covid-19 in the last week, its highest-ever number of weekly Covid-19 cases, and the league postponed fixtures involving Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur this week due to team-wide outbreaks.
The National Basketball Association on Monday announced its first Covid-induced postponement of the season due to an outbreak among the Chicago Bulls, while the Brooklyn Nets will continue to play even though a third of its roster is sidelined after presumably testing positive for the virus.
The National Hockey League on Monday announced its third delay due to Covid of the season, postponing the Calgary Flames’ next three games following a rash of Covid-19 cases among the club.
On Tuesday, the NHL announced another postponement, calling off the Carolina Hurricanes’ game later in the day after six members of the team returned positive Covid-19 tests.
The National Football League also had a record-setting Monday, as 36 players reportedly tested positive for Covid-19.
WHAT TO WATCH FOR
How these leagues will respond to the increasingly dire Covid situation and whether further postponements will come. All four leagues announced additional restrictions Monday. The EPL reverted to its “emergency measures” and will increase testing for players and personnel, while Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur’s team facilities are closed due to outbreaks. The NHL said the Flames’ facilities will be closed indefinitely. The NBA’s Los Angeles Lakers and the NFL’s Cleveland Browns and Detroit Lions shut down their facilities out of precaution as well.
KEY BACKGROUND
After widespread postponements and Covid-related player absences became the norm for sports during the pandemic, the fall and winter seasons had largely gone to plan for leagues, with no Covid-related game delays in major North American sports coming until mid-November. The recent outbreaks coincide with an increase of Covid-19 cases in North America and Europe, as the seven-day average of new coronavirus infections has risen by 24% in the United Kingdom, 28% in the United States and 65% in Canada over the last three weeks. according to the New York Times.
FURTHER READING
Covid Is Disrupting Sports. Again. (Wall Street Journal)
NBA Delaying Games Due To Covid—A First This Season (Forbes)
NHL Postpones Games Over Covid For Third Time This Season As Pandemic Shakes Professional Sports (Forbes)
NFL Reportedly Has Most-Ever Positive Covid-19 Tests In A Single Day (Forbes)
