EAST LANSING-  With larger team workouts looming, Michigan State decided to halt all voluntary activities after a football staffer tested positive for COVID-19, the university announced in a press release on Wednesday evening. 

All football staff members were tested over the weekend for COVID-19, according to the press release. Furthermore, widespread surveillance COVID-19 testing was conducted on student-athletes Wednesday afternoon.

 MSU’ football players have been participating in eight-hour weeks that include on-field agility training over the past several weeks. The team was scheduled to increase the length of instruction time to 20 hours beginning on Friday, but because of the positive test, the workouts have been halted indefinitely. 

The 20-hour week was supposed to afford Mel Tucker and his staff more time that could be used for conditioning, on-field walkthroughs and team meetings.  

This is the second time in a week-and-a-half where at least one member of the MSU athletic community has tested positive for the coronavirus. Three student-athletes tested positive for the coronavirus after being tested on July 13. 

With voluntary team workouts postponed, Michigan State became the fourth Big Ten university to postpone team activities over the past two weeks. Maryland, Ohio State and Indiana all halted team exercises because of positive COVID-19 tests. Both Ohio State and Maryland have since allowed team drills to resume on campus.