The IU football program began rapid testing for COVID-19 nearly two weeks ago.
And while things can change quickly with the spread of a virus on a college campus, so far there have been almost no cases of COVID-19 since the team implemented the new approach.
Head coach Tom Allen shared the latest testing results on Monday.
“Since we have gone to the rapid testing, which is a daily test that our school administers, we have had over 1,200 tests with only one positive,” Allen told reporters on a video conference.
The lone individual that tested positive was not a member of the team.
“That was an individual that is not a football player and also not a full-time staff member, so that has been going in a good direction,” Allen said.
With things trending in the right direction, Indiana is getting closer to a full roster.
“We are about to get all of our guys back from the different levels of quarantine,” Allen added.
Previously, a player that tested positive had to be quarantined, along with anyone else that was deemed to have been in contact with that player.
Advances in rapid antigen testing played a significant role in the Big Ten’s decision to reverse course and allow the 2020 season to be played in the fall.
The league announced that all teams must begin rapid testing by today.
Eager to get ahead of the curve, Indiana began the process on Sept. 17.
“Now, we will know that when we are out there practicing that all of our guys are negative, Allen said.
“They will not be allowed to practice [if they are positive]. It is a daily test and results will be back in 15 minutes. If they have a positive test in the morning before practice, they are not going to be out there. That makes you feel better about that contact with your guys.”
Prior to the availability of rapid testing, Indiana had to pause voluntary football workouts in July after a spike in cases and related contact tracing concerns.
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