Several teams have been hit with large numbers of positive COVID-19 tests. All 32 teams use a company called BioReference for their testing. The positive tests have all come from a lab in New Jersey. The latest report shows the following teams having positive tests: Jets(10), Bears(9), Browns, Steelers(6), Vikings, and more. Several teams have cancelled practices today as they follow protocols set in place to prevent the spread.
Updated: False #NFL COVID-19 positives aplenty from NJ lab in question: #Jets 10, #Bears 9; #Browns canceled Sun practice after dble-digit positives; #Steelers 6 presumptive positives, #Vikings 12. About 10 teams impacted https://t.co/KFkzn2KDuT
— Mary Kay Cabot (@MaryKayCabot) August 23, 2020
The Washington Football Team uses BioReference like every other team in the NFL. A team spokesperson said they use a different lab, and so far there have been no reports of positive tests here. The team held their practice as scheduled today. Head Coach Ron Rivera said in his presser that the team is closely monitoring other teams, and letting everyone know about positive tests(and people not following protocol). He is starting treatment for cancer and asked the players to be disciplined, because he needs it. Rivera is expected to go through proton therapy and chemotherapy, and could possibly require surgery, making him more susceptible.
Washington Football uses BioReference for Covid testing, the entire NFL does, but the WFT does not use the lab in New Jersey at the center of the issues. The team cannot say which lab location they use but there are several in the DMV area
— JP Finlay (@JPFinlayNBCS) August 23, 2020
A Washington spokesman says the team does not use the lab in New Jersey. That explains why Washington's practice began on time as scheduled. https://t.co/7R9T9fvBCR
— Matthew Paras (@Matthew_Paras) August 23, 2020
The NFL has issued a statement about the tests, and will work with teams to quickly determine who(if anyone) is actually positive from this group of tests.
Several NFL teams are altering or cancelling football activities today after irregularities in results from Saturday’s COVID-19 test results from the same lab in New Jersey. Statement from the NFL: pic.twitter.com/RhwzHQVsUA
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) August 23, 2020
New from the NFL pic.twitter.com/WNXRdgqeRs
— Brian McCarthy (@NFLprguy) August 23, 2020