Minnesota Vikings' infection control officer has tested positive for coronavirus
Minnesota Vikings athletic trainer Eric Sugarman has tested positive for COVID-19.
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Minnesota Vikings Vice President of Sports Medicine and head athletic trainer Eric Sugarman (above right in photo with Coach Mike Zimmer), the team's infection control officer, has tested positive for the coronavirus. This is very relevant with training camps opening around the league Tuesday because Sugarman has been one of the NFL's leaders in formulating anti-COVID plans for team facilities.
"We have followed the team's protocol for sanitizing the facility and for notifying any personnel who have been in close contact with Eric. Those individuals have been tested and are returning under the established guidelines," the Vikings said in a statement, adding Sugarman "has not had recent contact with players, and no additional cases within the Vikings front office have been identified at this time."
The Vikings' rookies and quarterbacks reported Thursday and had their second coronavirus tests on Sunday, with physicals beginning today. All players must have two negative tests, separated by three days, in order to enter the team facility in Eagan, Minn. Daily testing will begin for all players in their fifth day of camp. Should a player test positive, he would quarantine in a "COVID room" at the team facility.
Every NFL team is required to name an infection control officer. Sugarman, in his 15th season with the Vikings, was given that role. He will continue to operate virtually as the team's ICO.
"This weekend my family and I tested positive for COVID-19. We immediately quarantined and began to follow the established protocols. At this time we are all doing fine and experiencing only mild symptoms," Sugarman said in a statement.
In addition, rookie first-round wideout Justin Jefferson has been placed on the COVID-19 list. That doesn't mean he has the virus but has been in contact with someone who has. He didn't come in any contact with Sugarman.
This news comes on the heels of two MLB games being postponed/canceled Monday because multiple members of the Miami Marlins have tested positive. Their Tuesday matchup vs. the Orioles also has been canceled/postponed. In fact, the Orioles' team plane reportedly has turned right back around to return to Baltimore.
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