COVID-19 cases are on the rise and once again the sports world is feeling its impact.
On Monday, there were 37 positive COVID test in the NFL — the most in a singular day since the pandemic started — and on Tuesday there were 25 more additional positives expected, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
That included eight positives on the Cleveland Browns alone and other stars such as Chiefs defensive lineman Chris Jones and Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr.
In the NBA, the Chicago Bulls have postponed their next two games due to an outbreak on the team while others, like the Toronto Raptors and Brooklyn Nets, have had several others go into the COVID protocols and the Lakers cancelled a practice.
In the NHL, the Minnesota Wild game against the Carolina Hurricanes was postponed while the Bruins added star Brad Marchand to their COVID protocols along with teammate Craig Smith.
It is unclear if the new Omicron variant is attributing to the rise in cases. It appears to be more transmissible than previous variants of the virus, although its effects appear to be less severe thus far.
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While all the leagues have had protocols in place since the start of the season for both vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals, many are tightening those protocols as cases spike.
The NBA announced earlier this month that players to who do not have a booster to game day testing beginning on Dec. 17 while team personnel who do not have the booster shot or no longer permitted to interact with players or travel with the team.
The NFL is requiring coaches and staff to receive the booster by Dec. 27, although it cannot require the player to get any vaccine because it was negotiated through the players’ union.
Meanwhile, some teams, like the Minnesota Vikings, are going back to intensive COVID protocols by requiring everyone to wear masks, regardless of vaccination status, inside the building.
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