Quidel's Sofia 2 machines provide COVID-19 test results within 15 minutesQUIDEL
The Pac-12 announced a "major breakthrough in Covid-19 daily testing of its athletic teams, partnering with Quidel Corporation on rapid-response tests in what the conference described as 'a major step toward the safe return of sports competition,'" according to Jon Wilner of the San Jose MERCURY NEWS. The Pac-12 "gave no timeline for a return of football," but Quidel's Sofia 2 machines "will be delivered to the athletic departments by the end of September." Pac-12 Commissioner Larry Scott called the partnership "a game changer" and said the conference will "constantly re-evaluate" the football timeline. Scott also said that he has "discussed with Big Ten commissioner Kevin Warren the possibility of the conferences aligning their schedules, whether a revised season would start in late 2020 or early 2021." The Pac-12's medical advisory board "believes athletes must be tested within 24 hours of competition in order to keep asymptomatic players off the field," and the Sofia 2 machines "solve that concern, providing results in 15 minutes." The conference "originally didn't believe it would have access to quick-turn, daily testing until late November" (San Jose MERCURY NEWS, 9/4).
FOOTBALL TIMELINE STILL MURKY: In L.A., Ryan Kartje notes Scott "warned that a return to competition involves several other considerations, including approval from state health officials." Six Pac-12 schools, including USC and UCLA, "currently don't have approval to return to contact practice, and as such, Scott was hesitant to offer more than a faint suggestion of a timeline to return, allowing only that he's now 'hopeful' there could be a pathway for Pac-12 sports to begin before Jan. 1." Meanwhile, Univ. of Washington head football team physician Kim Harmon "explained that the Pac-12 still doesn't have a grip on whether athletes recovering from COVID-19 are at an elevated risk of heart inflammation known as myocarditis" (L.A. TIMES, 9/4). The MERCURY NEWS' Wilner writes the Pac-12's ability to test athletes on a daily basis starting in late September "would suggest a mid-November start is feasible" for football. If teams "can practice by early October, they can play in the middle of November" (San Jose MERCURY NEWS, 9/4).
MORE HOPE FOR HOOPS? USA TODAY's Erick Smith writes one "hurdle to overcome" for the Pac-12 is "in California and Oregon -- where four member schools are located." Those states "have restrictions on activities that would not allow for the start of football training camp." However, the "opportunity for college basketball has a better outlook." The planned start of the season in early November is "being reconsidered by the NCAA" (USA TODAY, 9/4).
