Penn State Athletics Reports 16 COVID-19 Positive Results Following Latest Round of Testing

Sixteen more Penn State student-athletes have tested positive for COVID-19, according to Penn State Athletics’ weekly testing report. 

Between Feb. 7 and 13, the department administered 2,282 tests, resulting in 16 new positives and one pending result. Total tests do not reflect total individuals tested as the Big Ten requires daily testing per conference health and safety guidelines.

Wednesday’s reported figures bring Athletics’ cumulative positive tests to 329 since testing began over the summer. Penn State has performed 32,614 tests since student-athletes returned to campus. 

At this time, Penn State men’s hockey has paused its team activities. The Nittany Lions canceled this weekend’s series with Arizona State due to positive COVID-19 tests within the program. Guy Gadowsky’s squad was also forced to postpone last weekend’s series with Ohio State due to an undisclosed number of positive tests, while the Michigan series was axed due to issues on the Wolverines’ end.

Each student-athlete who’s tested positive to date has entered a 14-day isolation period before undergoing additional tests and resuming organized activities. When positives are reported, Penn State said it will also implement contact tracing to identify individuals who may have crossed paths with those affected. Identified individuals will also be quarantined, even if they’re asymptomatic.

“The health and safety of our student-athletes, coaches, staff and the broader community are of the utmost importance,” Athletics said in a statement. “We expect our student-athletes to follow University requirements and guidelines for limiting the spread of COVID-19, including wearing masks, practicing social distancing, washing their hands regularly and not gathering in large groups.”

Penn State Athletics reports updated student-athlete coronavirus testing data every Wednesday.