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The University of Michigan Athletics is implementing a department-wide pause because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The school released a statement late Saturday night regarding the situation.
A 14-day pause has started for all sports within the University of Michigan Athletics Department because of an increased number of positive COVID-19 tests with the B.1.1.7 variant. The Michigan Department of Health and Human and Services made the decision to shut things down in Ann Arbor for two weeks.
Michigan’s pause includes all games, team activities, practices and individual training sessions for the next 14 days. From the University of Michigan:
“While U-M has worked diligently on testing and reporting within state and Big Ten Conference guidelines, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services is mandating a more aggressive strategy for this B.1.1.7 variant, which exceeds current program efforts designed around the standard form of the virus.”
The B.1.1.7 variant is thought to be more contagious than the standard COVID-19 virus.
Michigan will continue to provide updates on the situation and a plan for a potential return to activities in the coming days and weeks.
Dustin grew up in the heart of Big Ten country and has been in sports media since 2010. He has been covering Big Ten football since 2014. You can follow him on Twitter: @SchutteCFB