The NFL has its first COVID-19 group break out. A minimum of 9 members of the Tennessee Titans have actually produced confirmed positive test results in the past four days, a rash of coronavirus infections that could potentially have spread throughout Sundays game against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium.
The Titans have closed their practice center till a minimum of Saturday, while the Vikings have closed theirs up until they have more test outcomes. Choices on both groups Week 4 games are pending.
Heres what we understand at the minute, with suitable context. We will continue to update as news develops.
Dive to: Timeline for return to facilitiesCould video games get delayed?
So this begun with the Titans?
Yes. On Saturday, Titans linebackers coach Shane Bowen returned a confirmed favorable test. The Titans got the outcomes before they departed Nashville for Minneapolis, and Bowen was kept back from making the journey.
Were the other eight Titans staff members contaminated by Bowen?
We dont know. What we do know is that the whole Titans taking a trip celebration was tested Saturday, as they would normally be. The Titans had those results by Sunday early morning. All were unfavorable, indicating every coach, player and staff member was eligible for Sundays game.
1 RelatedThe Titans remained Saturday night at the JW Marriott, surrounding to the Mall of America in Bloomington, Minnesota, according to ESPNs Courtney Cronin. League procedure needs all members of the traveling celebration to have their own rooms and also prohibits them from “gathering, socializing or going to with individuals beyond the Traveling Party once they have actually arrived in the game city.”
On Sunday, they beat the Vikings, 31-30. The group flew back home after the game ended.
So nobody was checked on Sunday?
Correct. The protocols require daily screening on every day except video game day. Neither the league or the NFL Players Association (NFLPA) has actually explained clearly why, however timing is likely a significant part of the answer. Outcomes for polymerase domino effect (PCR) tests, carried out on the early morning of a video game by nasal swab, most likely wouldnt be returned in time for kickoff.
Point of care (POC) tests have quicker results– PCR tests are generally returned overnight, whereas POC tests can be returned on the exact same day, and even before kickoff after an early morning test– however are not as precise. At this time, POC tests are only utilized to help verify preliminary positive tests, and the NFL does not yet trust them on their own. And the NFL most likely didnt desire to sideline a gamer or coach based just off a POC test.
When were they next tested?
All Tier 1 and Tier 2 employees from the Titans and Vikings, which consists of players and coaches, were evaluated Monday morning. Of the 8 Titans who returned verified positive tests, 3 were gamers and 5 were staff members.
What about the authorities who worked the Titans-Vikings game on Sunday?
Most officials travel home on the night of the video game or the next early morning. Per their protocol, they are tested two times per week– as soon as in their home towns and as soon as on the day before video games. Referee Clete Blakemans team worked this game, and it is not right away known if any of them were affected.
Does that indicate the outbreak is contained?
No. General guidance from public health officials recommend it can use up to 5-7 days for an infection to register in a test. Thats why the Titans center is closed through at least Saturday. The NFL/NFLPA protocol calls for increased monitoring for eight days for anyone who had close contact with somebody who returned a verified positive test.
How do they figure out close contact?
The protocols follow CDC guidelines: within 6 feet apart for a minimum of 15 minutes of a contaminated person. The league determined 48 close contacts to keep an eye on, based upon contact tracing of the eight verified favorable individuals, according to Graziano. Its uncertain if those are all members of the Titans, or if some are members of the Vikings.
That includes contact throughout a game as well as information taped by mandatory distance gadgets used by all group staff members before and after the video game. Per the procedure, “Tier 1, Tier 2, Tier 2M and Tier 3 Individuals will likewise be needed to wear Kinexon Proximity Recording tracking gadgets at all times while participated in group activities (including in the Club facility, during practices, and throughout team travel).”.
What about their Week 4 video games?
One possibility, according to ESPNs Adam Schefter, is to move the Titans video game Sunday in Nashville against the Pittsburgh Steelers from Sunday to Monday. The Titans game might also easily be moved to Week 7, if the NFL moves the Steelers Week 7 video game versus the Baltimore Ravens into Week 8, when both have byes.
The NFL formed an independent committee made up of unaffiliated former league authorities to advise commissioner Roger Goodell on equity and fairness in these circumstances. One instant concern is whether its fair for the Titans to play the Steelers on Sunday if they have actually been far from their team facility, and hence not able to practice, all week.
We understand the Titans wont return before Saturday at the earliest. The Vikings return depends upon whether they get any validated favorable outcomes.
The length of time will the infected gamers and team member be avoided the team?
Its made complex. Here is a flow diagram for asymptomatic and symptomatic positive tests.
Dianna Russini describes the possible origin of the Titans coronavirus break out and why she doesnt expect Tennessee playing its Week 4 game versus Pittsburgh.
On Saturday, Titans linebackers coach Shane Bowen returned a verified positive test. What we do understand is that the whole Titans traveling celebration was tested Saturday, as they would ordinarily be. Point of care (POC) tests have quicker results– PCR tests are normally returned overnight, whereas POC tests can be returned on the very same day, and even before kickoff after an early morning test– but are not as precise. All Tier 1 and Tier 2 staff members from the Titans and Vikings, which consists of players and coaches, were evaluated Monday morning. Of the 8 Titans who returned validated positive tests, three were gamers and five were employees.
So did the infection discover the one hole in the protocol?
If the Titans passed the infection to the Vikings, then yes. Games are the one point in the NFL week where social distancing is difficult, and the period when its most likely that a contaminated individual will breathe on others. Thats part of the factor the NFL has insisted on coaches and other non-players using masks on the sideline.
The lack of gameday testing likewise increases the risk. A POC test Sunday morning might have caught at least a few of the favorable results the Titans eventually recorded Monday.
Right. However it seemed as though the NFL procedures were working.
They were. Since Tuesday early morning, there were only four gamers on the NFLs COVID-19 list. Just seven gamers, and another 29 non-players, had actually returned favorable results during the 4 screening durations from Aug. 12 through Sept. 19.
But as Zachary Binney, an epidemiologist at Oxford College of Emory University, stated previously this month: “A break out truly can occur at any time.” Its fair to question if this will trigger a shift into game-day screening.
When can the Vikings and Titans get back to their practice facilities?
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This graphic from the NFL procedures explains much of what the Titans and Vikings are doing now. pic.twitter.com/Z3JLQy43GZ— Kevin Seifert (@SeifertESPN) September 29, 2020.
