The University of Houston’s return to workouts was a short one.
The university’s athletic department announced Friday that it’s suspending all voluntary workouts after six student-athletes tested positive for COVID-19.
“The decision, made in consultation with internal and external medical experts, comes after six symptomatic UH student-athletes tested positive for COVID-19 along with the increase in the number of positive tests in the greater Houston area over the last week,” the university’s release said. “The impacted students have been placed in isolation and contract tracing procedures have been initiated following protocol.”
Houston student-athletes returned to campus June 1 — the first day the NCAA allowed voluntary workouts to resume. The Houston Chronicle reported that the university only tested athletes who showed symptoms of coronavirus.
Houston is located in Harris County. According to ESPN, Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo said last week that COVID-19 hospitalizations in the county were the highest they’ve ever been.
Houston isn’t alone, as athletes at Alabama, Arkansas State, Auburn, Central Florida, Florida State, Iowa, Iowa State, Marshall, Oklahoma State and Texas Tech are also among those that tested positive.
Related content: Report: College Athletes Test Positive for COVID-19
Fall sports are planning to start ramping up preparations for the 2020 seasons, which are still moving forward to be held as planned. The four-phase plan for restarting college football, which is pending approval from the NCAA Division I Council, has the majority of teams being allowed eight hours together per work, starting July 13. On July 24, teams will be allowed 20 hours per week until training camp starts in full Aug. 7.
Related content: College Football Committee Approves Four-Phase Summer Plan
