MLS Says That There Have Been More COVID-19 Cases But Don’t Think Its Spreading In Disney Bubble
As we previously reported here at MickeyBlog, Major League Soccer has taken over parts of Walt Disney World as the league continues matches at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex. However, a recent surge in COVID-19 cases in the country has resulted in an increase in cases among players and cancelled matches.
Orlando City is still slated to play Inter Miami on Wednesday but other matches in the MLS is Back Tournament are expected to be delayed due to the spread of the virus.
According to a recent piece in the Orlando Sentinel, a mix of positive tests have delayed team travel as well as the start of team training in Orlando. This will more than likely result in schedule alterations.
Based on the suggests of MLS Medical Director and staff working with the teams at the Swan and Dolphin, the league DOES NOT currently believe that there is a community spread within the MLS hotels. Their belief is that all instances of COVID-19 exposure originated before team members arrived at Disney World/
The piece in the Sentinel also advised that 90% of the staff at Swan and Dolphin Resort (which is owned and operated by Marriott) and 100% of shuttle drivers transporting MLS team members are being regularly tested for COVID-19.
The MLS announced on Saturday that out of 1,191 players, coaches, referees and staff tested in Orlando over the weekend, only two tested positive. The MLS did not say what teams those two members were from. However, previously the MLS confirmed that 6 players for FC Dallas and two players for the Vancouver Whitecaps had tested positive. This led to a delay in the Dallas vs Vancouver match.
In addition, Nashville SC has had 5 members test positive for COVID-19 in Orlando. This has meant that both Dallas and Nashville have not been able to conduct team training. Toronto FC and Colorado Rapids were also delayed travelling to Walt Disney World when it was announced that one person in the Toronto delegation and two in the Colorado delegation reported COVID-19 symptoms which meant the entire team had to be tested before heading to Orlando.
FC Dallas coach Luchi Gonzalez told ESPN over the weekend, “The priority is getting guys healthy, feeling safe, so that we can be strong in the long term, which I know we’re going to accomplish.”
If a member of the MLS were to test positive for COVID-19, they would be moved to isolation in a separate part of the MLS hotel and those exposed to the player would be required to quarantine. The rest of the team that the player is a part of would be tested for 14 consecutive days.
As we previously reported here at MickeyBlog, in addition to the MLS holding matches at Disney World, the NBA is also due to arrive this week with matches not starting until later this month.
This is a story we’ll continue to follow closely here at MickeyBlog so keep checking in with us for the latest news and updates!
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Source: Orlando Sentinel