UConn women’s basketball shuts down for 14 days after positive COVID-19 test

UConn women’s basketball has paused team activities after a member of the program tested positive for COVID-19. The Huskies will halt all activities for at least 14 days and can only return “when it is deemed safe by medical professionals,” per a release from the school. The school did not identify the person who tested positive.

Because of the shutdown, UConn’s first three games of the season will be canceled: Nov. 28 vs. Quinnipiac, Nov. 29 vs. Maine/Mississippi State, Dec. 4 vs. Louisville. Its Big East opener on Dec. 6 at Seton Hall will be postponed, according to the team’s website. Any further schedule updates will be announced at a later date.

The primary concern now is certainly the health and safety of the entire program. Assuming the 14-day quarantine period began today, UConn can potentially return to the court on Dec. 7 if everything goes to plan.

This is not the first time COVID-19 has affected one of the Huskies’ basketball programs. UConn men’s basketball shut down after an unidentified player tested positive on Nov. 5. In the following two weeks, players could work out on their own in the gym but were limited to shooting and dribbling work.

They were also allowed to go with their roommates but had to be on opposite ends of the court and could only use one ball per session. The men’s players were also permitted to use the weight room as long as they were alone and could partake in conditioning activities under the director of the strength and conditioning coach, though from a distance.

It’s likely the women’s player’s will be under certain restrictions once contact tracing is complete.