TAMPA BAY, Fla. (WFLA) — As sports teams work to move forward and resume a sense of normalcy in the wake of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, outbreaks of the virus are hitting players and staff members.
At least five teams that play or practice in the Tampa Bay area have confirmed cases of coronavirus.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Tampa Bay’s NFL team confirmed Thursday an assistant coach tested positive for the virus. According to the Bucs, the assistant is asymptomatic.
The coach and two other Buccaneers assistants are now in quarantine. The organization has not released any of their names.
The Buccaneers coaches returned to One Buc Place for the first time on Monday. The NFL announced last week that virtual off-season programs have been extended through June 26, which means healthy players are not allowed at team facilities.
Some Bucs players, including quarterback Tom Brady and tight end Rob Gronkowski, have been holding their own practices at Tampa Bay area high schools.
Tampa Bay Lightning
The Tampa Bay Lightning confirmed Friday evening that three players and “additional staffers” tested positive for the virus. According to a statement from General Florida Florida manager Julien BriseBois, most of the players are asymptomatic, “other than a few cases of low-grade fever.”
The Bolts shut down its training facilities after they were informed of the positive tests.
The NHL is currently in Phase 2 of its return to play. Teams were recently allowed to open facilities to player workouts with small groups on the ice. The Lightning recently progressed from mainly conditioning to scrimmages. The next phase, set to begin July 10, will allow formal training camps to begin.
Philadelphia Phillies
The MLB team announced Friday that its spring training facility in Clearwater was closed “indefinitely” due to a coronavirus outbreak.
According to a spokesperson for the team, five players and three staff members tested positive. Dozens of other staff members and players are in the process of being tested.
The statement from the Phillies did not mention whether or not the players and staff member were showing symptoms.
Toronto Blue Jays
The Toronto MLB team announced Friday it was suspending operations at its spring training facility in Dunedin after a player “presented symptoms consistent with” coronavirus.
A spokesperson for the team says that player is undergoing coronavirus testing.
USF Football
An athletics spokesperson confirmed earlier this week two University of South Florida football players tested positive for the virus. Those positive tests come one week after voluntary on-campus athletic activities started back up.
The statement from USF did not mention whether or not the players who tested positive were showing symptoms.
Moving forward
As more coronavirus cases are confirmed in athletes who are practicing or playing in the Tampa Bay area and other parts of Florida, NBA teams are set to arrive in Central Florida in the coming weeks. They will be staying and playing at Disney World.
The Associated Press reported this week that players must tell their teams by June 24 if they intend to play or not, according to a memo sent to NBPA members. If a player does not feel comfortable playing, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver has said they do not have to report with their team and will not be disciplined, other than losing salary for games missed, the AP reported.
Most teams will arrive in Florida on July 7, 8 or 9.
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