The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services has told the University of Michigan to stop all athletic activities in all sports for possibly up to two weeks.
That includes all games, team and individual training sessions, and closing U-of-M athletic facilities.
The mandate follows positive test results for the new COVID B.1.1.7 variant from several people associated with the Athletic Department.
The new COVID variant is believed to be 50 percent more transmissible than the standard form of the virus, potentially increased numbers of cases, and additional hospitalizations and deaths.
"Canceling competitions is never something we want to do, but with so many unknowns about this variant of COVID-19, we must do everything we can to minimize the spread among student-athletes, coaches, staff, and to the student-athletes at other schools," said Athletic Director Warde Manuel.
Student athletes, coaches and team staff are being told to immediately quarantine until further notice. University public health officials are working closely with the Washtenaw County Health Department and Michigan Department of Human Health Services on additional ways to deal with the COVID-19 B.1.1.7 variant in the university community.
