Women’s basketball coach Geno Auriemma has tested positive for COVID-19, with UConn making the announcement just hours before the NCAA tournament bracket was to be unveiled Monday (ESPN/ESPN App, 7 p.m. ET).
The university said Auriemma is isolating at home and not experiencing any symptoms after testing positive Sunday.
“Contact tracing protocols revealed that Auriemma did not have close contact with any other team member since Friday, March 12,” UConn said. “All Tier I personnel have tested negative for COVID-19 since daily testing commenced, per NCAA Tournament protocol, on Tuesday, March 9.”
Auriemma must remain in isolation for 10 days, per state and CDC guidelines, and can rejoin the team March 24. The university said the longtime coach received a second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine last Wednesday, but, “according to CDC guidelines, he remains nine-days shy of becoming fully vaccinated.”
“I’m feeling well but disappointed that I will be away from the team for the next several days,” Auriemma said. “Fortunately, I have a great coaching staff who will lead us during my absence. This revelation is a reminder that, while there is a light at the end of the tunnel, we are not on the other side of this pandemic yet. The full effect of vaccines does not occur until 14 days after our last vaccine dose, and for those of us getting two-dose vaccine, that means we’re not in the clear after just one-dose. My team and I need to remain vigilant in the areas of mask-wearing and social distancing as we continue this fight against COVID.”
