Notre Dame Football Postponed After Positive Coronavirus Tests

NOTRE DAME, IN— The University of Notre Dame football program announced Tuesday its decision to postpone Saturday's game at Wake Forest after seven players tested positive for the coronavirus, according to a news release.

According to university physician Dr. Matt Leiszler, 94 coronavirus tests were administered to football players Monday, resulting in seven positive test results.

Those seven student-athletes are in isolation, and their close contacts have been or are being identified, according to the news release. Combined with last week’s testing results, a total of 13 players are currently in isolation, with 10 in quarantine.

In consultation with the St. Joseph County Department of Health, the Notre Dame football program decided to pause all football-related activities until further testing is completed, the program said.

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“With student-athlete health and safety our primary focus, we will continue to follow our prevention protocols and ongoing testing procedures,” coach Brian Kelly said in the news release. “We managed an increase in positivity rates in August, and the players handled it wonderfully."

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According to the news release, the Atlantic Coast Conference and Wake Forest have been notified, and the process of rescheduling Saturday's game is underway.

“We knew COVID would present challenges throughout the season, and we’ll always put student-athlete health and safety at the forefront of our decision making," Kelly said. "We look forward to resuming team activities and getting back on the playing field.”