University of Michigan track and field goes on hiatus from department-wide activity

University of Michigan track and field goes on hiatus from department-wide activity

ANN ARBOR, me. – Under a Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) decision made on Saturday, Jan.23, the University of Michigan’s sports department will immediately suspend athletic activities in all sports, including games , team and individual training sessions, until further notice. and up to 14 days.

While UM has worked diligently on testing and reporting in accordance with state and Big Ten Conference guidelines, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services is imposing a more aggressive strategy for this B variant. 1.1.7, which goes beyond the current efforts of the program designed around the standard form. virus.

The warrant follows positive test results for SAR-CoV-2 B.1.1.7 variant viral infections from several people linked to UM’s sports department through its due diligence regiment. The B.1.1.7 variant is believed to be around 50% more transmissible than the standard form of the virus, resulting in the virus spreading more rapidly, a potentially increased number of cases, and additional hospitalizations and deaths. Therefore, a break from all sports activities and a closure of all sports facilities at UM is taken to strengthen the public health response. Team members (student-athletes, coaches and team staff) must immediately self-isolate / quarantine effective January 23 until further notice and for up to 14 days (February 7).

“Canceling competitions is never something we want to do, but with so many unknowns about this variant of COVID-19, we must do all we can to minimize the spread among student-athletes, coaches, staff and student-athletes from other schools, “said Manuel Warde, Athletics Director Donald R. Shepherd.

University public health officials are working closely with the Washtenaw County Department of Health and Michigan Department of Human Health Services on additional mitigation strategies to combat the COVID-19 B.1.1 variant .7 in the university community. The university will carefully consider additional mitigation measures. Many unknowns remain under investigation by UMs, local and state public health officials.

No decision has been made on the impact of the break on games scheduled beyond February 7.