Following positive tests for a new strain of coronavirus in Michigan athletics, the state Department of Health and Human Services closed all facilities and disrupted all University of Michigan teams and activities for up to 14 days, according to a school statement.
According to the launch, the state is taking a cautious approach to the new SAR-CoV-2 B.1.1.7 strain of the virus, which is “about 50 percent more communicable.” All athletes, coaches and staff must be quarantined, starting on Saturday, possibly for two weeks.
“Canceling competitions is never something we want to do, but with so many unknowns about this variant of COVID-19, we must do everything we can to minimize the spread among student-athletes, coaches, staff and student-athletes from other schools, “Michigan Sports Director Warde Manuel said in a statement.
It is unclear how games and other teams could be affected beyond the potential two-week quarantine.
Michigan’s No. 7 men’s basketball team defeated Purdue 70-53 in West Lafayette, Indiana, on Friday night. The 11th-ranked women’s team lost 81-77 to Ohio State in Columbus, Ohio on Thursday.
Both teams could miss four games.