Pac-12 Makes Agreement for Rapid COVID-19 Testing; Competition Could Return Sooner
The Pac-12 Conference, due to an agreement with the Quidel Corporation, could return to action sooner than anticipated. Although the conference initially postponed its sports through the end of the year, the agreement with Quidel will allow for daily testing for COVID-19. According to USA Today, the agreement with Quidel will enable the conference’s schools to perform rapid tests and contact tracing.
By conducting daily tests and receiving rapid information, steps can be taken to better limit the passing of COVID-19. Because of the agreement, USA Today noted that the Pac-12 Conference might move to resume competition ahead of Jan. 1, 2021.
“We felt like it was critical we have consistent point-of-care access to be able to move forward with contact athletics in a safe manner,” said Doug Aukerman, Oregon State’s athletic director for sports medicine and the head of the Pac-12’s medical advisory committee. “Having the opportunity and ability to identify and immediately remove someone who has the potential to be infected prior to stepping on the practice field really reduces the risk and removes the gap that currently exists with traditional laboratory testing.”
Despite the current postponement of competitions, Pac-12 Conference programs have been permitted to practice. The decision by the conference to postpone fall and winter sports through Dec. 31, 2020 fell in lock step with the Big Ten Conference. However, the ACC, Big 12 and SEC went in the other direction, opting to proceed with sports in their regular seasons.
Daily Testing? Is this a joke?