COVID-19 testing update on student-athletes, staff

The Breslin Center / Photo Credit: Michigan State Athletic Communications

Zach Surdenik, Women's Basketball Beat Reporter

EAST LANSING — Michigan State University conducted 91 COVID-19 Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) tests between Dec. 10-16. 69 of the tests were on student-athletes and 22 were on staff members. Of the 69 student-athletes, two tested positive. One staff member tested positive as well. 

Test results cover PCR tests in any sport at MSU. Student-athletes and staff for football, men’s basketball and women’s basketball are taking part in the Big Ten’s daily antigen testing. Anyone who receives a presumptive positive result from the antigen test is then required to take a PCR test.

Since Michigan State’s testing program started in June, there have been more than 2,765 tests conducted on student-athletes with 176 total positive results, as well as over 550 tests on staff members with only 14 positives. 

Those with positive test results will continue to have daily check-ins with the athletic training staff while they remain in isolation. Further testing and follow-ups are required before the individuals can return to any level of workouts.

Zach Surdenik is a women’s basketball beat reporter for WDBM Sports. Follow him on Twitter at @ZachSurdenik.