Following a round of testing that produced some positive test results for two NHL teams that are currently in playoff series, there was some concern about a potential COVID-19 outbreak early on Wednesday.
The positive results were originally believed to be false positives, but since there was no way to confirm that theory in rapid time, the players in question were all sent directly to quarantine where additional testing was administered and an investigation into the lab results was launched.
Thankfully, the league did eventually confirm that the players who had originally tested positive have since received negative tests. The two teams involved in the ordeal were the St. Louis Blues and the Vegas Golden Knights.
«This morning, we became aware of certain test results involving multiple Players on two Clubs (the St. Louis Blues and the Vegas Golden Knights) that had indicated positive results for the COVID-19 virus. Because those reported results emanated from the same laboratory, and due to other peculiarities and similarities as among the test results themselves, an investigation was initiated into the possibility that the initial test results reported may have been in error. All affected Players were immediately isolated and further testing was done involving collected samples. Those tests have returned uniformly negative results, therefore confirming that the initial reported test results were in error. As a result, all affected Players will be eligible to play in their team's next game.»
There were several teams who have had to endure lengthy layoffs and quarantines due to outbreaks in the locker room during the regular season, which had already forced delays of the postseason. Fortunately, at this point, it looks as though we will not have to endure any further delays - at least for the time being.
