How Does the NFL Test for COVID?

The NFL has released its testing numbers for the past week and there were no new positive cases.

Introduction

The NFL has been working with experts to develop a testing plan that will allow us to safely and effectively play the 2020 season. We have been focused on three primary goals: ensuring the health and safety of our players, coaches and personnel; protecting the integrity of our game; and providing a great experience for our fans.

We are confident in the protocols we have put in place, and we believe they will allow us to organize a safe and successful season. Players and personnel will be tested regularly for COVID-19, and we will take every necessary step to mitigate risks surrounding the virus.

We are grateful for the cooperation of everyone involved in making this season possible, and we are excited to get back on the field.

What is the NFL’s COVID-19 testing protocol?

The NFL has been testing players, coaches, and staff for COVID-19 since the start of training camp. The league uses a combination of PCR and antigen tests to ensure everyone is healthy and able to play safely. Here’s a look at how the NFL’s COVID-19 testing protocol works.

Daily testing

All NFL players and staff are tested for COVID-19 every day, according to the league’s testing protocol. The test involves a swab of the nose or throat and usually takes less than 15 minutes to administer. Players and staff who test positive for COVID-19 are immediately isolated and must quarantine for at least 10 days.

Pre-game testing

Prior to the start of the 2020 season, each team was required to test their players, coaches and staff members for COVID-19 twice per week. The people being tested were broken up into three groups:

-Players and coaches who are considered high risk (i.e. have had close contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19)
-Players and coaches who are considered medium risk (i.e. have had contact with someone in the high risk group)
-Players and coaches who are considered low risk (i.e. have not had any close contact with anyone in the high or medium risk groups)

If anyone in the high risk group tests positive for COVID-19, they are immediately removed from the team and placed in isolation. Anyone in the medium risk group who tests positive is also placed in isolation, but they are allowed to return to the team once they have recovered. Players in the low risk group who test positive are not required to isolate themselves, but they may do so at their own discretion.

Post-game testing

Both home and away teams will be tested the day before a game, as well as on game day. Anyone who tests positive will not be allowed to play. On top of that, all players and coaches will be wearing GPS tracking devices during games to help with contact tracing in the event that someone does test positive.

How accurate are the tests?

The NFL has been using a variety of testing methods to screen players and staff for COVID-19. The most common test is the PCR test, which is considered to be the most accurate. The PCR test is used to detect the genetic material of the virus. The test is performed by taking a swab of the nose or throat.

False negatives

A false-negative test occurs when a person with COVID-19 tests negative. A false negative can happen for several reasons. It can happen because:

-The test was done too soon after infection, and there wasn’t enough virus in the person’s body for the test to detect
-The test was not sensitive enough to detect the virus
-The person was tested using a nasal swab, but they had coughed recently and the virus was deposited deeper in their respiratory tract, where it couldn’t be detected by the nasal swab
-There was something else in the person’s body that interfered with the test (like certain medications)

False negatives are concerning because people who think they don’t have COVID-19 may not take precautions to prevent infecting others.

False positives

PCR tests are known to give false positives at a rate of around 5%, meaning that if 100 infected people are tested, five people who don’t have the virus will test positive. That’s why it’s important for the NFL to confirm positive tests with a second test, preferably within 24 hours.

What are the consequences for a positive test?

If a player or club staff member tests positive for COVID-19, they will be isolated and monitored by team medical staff. Depending on the individual’s symptoms and severity of illness, they may also be hospitalized. All close contacts will be quarantined and monitored for 14 days.

Conclusion

The NFL has been using a combination of PCR and antigen tests to test for COVID-19. The PCR tests are more accurate but take longer to get results, so the league uses them for players who are symptomatic or have been in close contact with someone who has tested positive. The antigen tests are less accurate but can be processed more quickly, so they’re used for asymptomatic players and those who have not been in close contact with someone who has tested positive.