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The Michigan Daily broke late Saturday night the news that beginning Sunday, Jan. 24 the entire Michigan Wolverines Athletic Department has been ordered to shut down for at least two weeks following an outbreak among the department of the new COVID-19 B.1.1.7 variant. It was discovered that a Michigan student-athlete from the UK brought the new strain that is more virulent back to the school and there are at least five individuals who have now tested positive for it with 15 more presumed positive cases.
The pause comes amidst the Wolverines having just played at Purdue on Friday despite a Boilermaker testing positive for COVID-19 the day of the game. The state order will affect at least four Big Ten games as a result, but will not apply to Michigan State at this time. MSU is in its own ongoing pause among the men’s basketball team at this time, but it is under Big Ten protocols rather than via state order at this time.
The games impacted include:
- at Penn St., Wednesday, Jan. 27
- Indiana, Saturday, Jan. 30
- at Northwestern, Wednesday, Feb. 3
- Michigan State, Saturday, Feb. 6
The first case of B.1.1.7. was brought back by a U-M athlete. This order won't affect MSU or any other state school.
— Ethan Sears (@ethan_sears) January 24, 2021
We certainly hope the pause helps to prevent the spread of the new strain and everyone is able to stay healthy. We will keep you updated as new developments arise.