COVID-19 Defeats UConn Basketball Coach

As the 2021 Women's NCAA Basketball Tournament launches in San Antonio, TX this week, the University of Connecticut (UConn) Women's team Hall of Fame coach will be on the sidelines.

UConn coach Geno Auriemma tested positive for COVID-19 on March 14, 2021, and remains at home.

According to the U.S. CDC and Connecticut Department of Public Health guidelines, Auriemma will remain in isolation for 10 days. He received a second dose of a COVID-19 vaccine on March 10th and can rejoin the team on March 24th.

UConn contact tracing protocols revealed that Auriemma did not have close contact with any other team member since March 12th, and all personnel has tested negative for COVID-19.

Team physician Deena Casiero said in a press statement, "Only household close contacts were identified. Given the fact that we have been doing daily testing for the past seven days, we feel confident that we were able to catch this very early on in the disease process."

"I'm feeling well but disappointed that I will be away from the team for the next several days," Auriemma said.

"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 a 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."

The University of Connecticut is a national leader among public research universities, with more than 30,000 students seeking answers to critical questions in classrooms, labs, and the community. UConn has won eleven NCAA Division I national championships, the most in women's college basketball history.