Each team has a designated time to go through testing so clubs can be isolated as much as possibleGETTY IMAGES
Golden Knights D Nate Schmidt and coach Pete DeBoer said the NHL's testing process in the Edmonton hub has been "seamless" so far, according to Ben Gotz of the LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL. The team has "walked in and out quickly and then is free to get on with the rest of the day." Each team has a "designated time to go through testing so clubs can be isolated as much as possible." Schmidt said that there are "12 lanes available so each player can get his RT-PCR nasal swab test administered by personnel from nearby DynaLIFE medical labs." Results are available "within 24 hours." The NHL on Monday said that it had no positive tests over the last week of training camp from July 18-25. The Knights also have "daily symptom and temperature checks through CLEAR technology" (LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL, 7/30).
GOOD START, LONG ROAD: THE ATHLETIC's Michael Russo wrote the NHL's attempt to complete the '19-20 season is "off to a dandy start." All 24 teams are "inside their respective bubbles and the NHL announced on Monday that there were no new positive tests." There were only "two positive tests" during the earlier two-week period of training camp. The recent zero case number is "so impressive" because there were a "number of positive tests during the league's Phase 2 (optional small-group workouts)." Mayo Medical Laboratories President Dr. Bill Morice said, "I can’t believe how professional and on it the NHL is." However, just "because there have been zero positives doesn’t mean it'll stay that way." Lightning coach Jon Cooper: "I've been pretty optimistic ... this would go on, but that wavered a little bit, especially in light of what happened to our team and thinking, 'Are we going to be able to keep this contained?'" Morice said that the virus' highly contagious nature means "no going rogue and leaving the bubble." Russo: "That means daily tests. Daily social distancing. Daily mask wearing." It further requires "daily ensuring that workers who are around the teams are tested and responsible" (THEATHLETIC.com, 7/28).
