CORONAVIRUS SPORTS NEWS

Atlanta Falcons shut down team facility due to COVID-19 concerns

Oct 15, 2020, 7:12 AM

Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan (2) walks off the field after an NFL football game against th...

Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan (2) walks off the field after an NFL football game against the Chicago Bears in Atlanta. Ryan isn't allowing himself to wonder if the ouster of the Atlanta Falcons' coach and general manager this week could lead to a roster overhaul following the season that could impact his career. (AP Photo/Danny Karnik, File)

(AP Photo/Danny Karnik, File)

One positive coronavirus test led the Atlanta Falcons to shut down their facility on Thursday. ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports the positive is to a staff member and not a player.

“Out of an abundance of caution following one new positive test, we have made the decision to stop all in-person work at IBM Performance Field Thursday and will conduct all operations virtually,” the Falcons said in a statement. “This decision was made in consultation with the NFL and medical officials.

“The health and safety of our team is our highest priority.”

Schefter had reported that four members of the organization tested positive on Thursday morning but that not all were confirmed cases of COVID-19.

The news comes after the team placed defensive tackle Marlon Davidson on the COVID-19/reserve list on Wednesday. That list is either for a player who tests positive or a player who comes in close contact with another person who caught the virus.

It is possible the multiple positives taken Thursday morning are false.

That happened last week when one member of the New York Jets tested positive on Friday before getting retested, as New York got clearance to play their game against the Arizona Cardinals.

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