![Ohio State vs. Clemson during the Sugar Bowl NCAA college football game Friday, Jan. 1, 2021, in New Orleans. [The Ohio State University]](https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/058e61c/2147483647/strip/true/crop/2048x1152+0+0/resize/840x472!/format/webp/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Flegacy%2Fimages%2Fnews%2Fnpr%2F2021%2F03%2FOhio%20State%20v%20Clemson%20010121%20OFB09811.jpg)
Ohio State University is taking a pause on football team-related activities after an increase in positive coronavirus tests. The Woody Hayes Athletic Center administrative offices will also close for the same time.
Athletics director Gene Smith and head team physician Dr. Jim Borchers agreed to shut down activities for a week after a round of PCR testing on Monday showed more positive cases of COVID-19. The university has not disclosed how many athletes or staff have tested positive.
“Our decisions on the welfare of our student-athletes, staff members and those coming to our campus, and our determination as to when we will reopen and resume activities, will continue to be guided by our medical staff,” Smith said in an emailed statement.
Smith says the university will continue to promote safety measures such as wearing masks, hand washing, and physical distancing.
Spring drills are scheduled to start for the football program Friday, March 19.
Copyright 2021 WOSU 89.7 NPR News. To see more, visit WOSU 89.7 NPR News.