Fresno State pauses basketball practices after team members test positive for COVID-19

Fresno State has paused all in-person activities after two members of the program tested positive for COVID-19.

Only the men’s basketball program has been shut down, in accordance with state and local health department guidelines. Fresno State also has football, women’s basketball, women’s volleyball and women’s swimming and diving student-athletes on campus at this time, and all are being tested three times a week along with coaches and team personnel.

The individuals who tested positive for the coronavirus are in isolation, and all other members of the program are in quarantine.

Athletics director Terry Tumey said the men’s basketball players, coaches and staff will continue to be tested as part of department protocols, and even if testing negative for an extended period they will not be able to test out of the quarantine and resume practices or other team activities.

“You have to go through the process,” Tumey said. “The 14-day quarantine period is the protocol that we’re going to follow.

“It’s a difficult deal, but we have to take a conservative approach. We just don’t know. A person can be asymptomatic for a number of days and then all of a sudden start showing symptoms. Everybody is different, as it relates to that. Some people are positive and they show no symptoms at all.”

In-person meetings and practices will resume once it is deemed safe and in consultation with team physicians and Fresno County public health officials.

The Bulldogs have not yet released a schedule for a 2020-21 season, but games can start on Nov. 25, according to the NCAA.

This story was originally published October 28, 2020 at 3:43 PM.