With Selection Monday officially here, No. 1 UConn Huskies announced it will start the NCAA Tournament without their head coach. Geno Auriemma has tested positive for COVID.
“Contact tracing protocols revealed that Auriemma did not have close contact with any other team member since Friday, March 12,” UConn said in a statement. “All Tier I personnel have tested negative for COVID-19 since daily testing commenced, per NCAA Tournament protocol, on Tuesday, March 9.”
Per state guidelines, Auriemma must stay in isolation for 10-days. Therefore, he can join the Huskies as early as March 24. The school also said he did get his second vaccination shot last Wednesday.
“I’m feeling well but disappointed that I will be away from the team for the next several days,” Auriemma shared on the announcement. “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.”
