Vancouver, BC- Hours after the OUA cancelled the remainder of the 2020-21 athletics season, it was reported that five members of the University of Ottawa football team had tested positive for COVID-19. 

The news was first reported by CTV Ottawa, and all Gee-Gees football training has been suspended until further notice. In a statement, the university revealed that some student-athletes had been found not obeying the mandatory self-isolation rules, “putting the health and safety of their teammates, the university community and public at risk.”

The university is now working with the Ottawa local public health authority to handle the situation. “The University of Ottawa has implemented extensive protocols for varsity sports team training that respect public health guidelines. The health and safety protocols enable varsity teams to train, even though Ontario University Athletics’ (OUA) competitive season has been cancelled due to the pandemic,” the school said in the statement. 

Ottawa has been moved back into a modified Stage 2 by the Ontario government due to the rising COVID-19 cases in the area. According to The Fulcrum, uOttawa’s student newspaper, players were first notified of a case within the team in September, and the program halted training then. 

Although there is no competitive season, teams in the OUA are still able to train, and the Gee-Gees will hope to do so again once the issue is resolved. 

Cover photo:  Rame Adbulkader/The Fulcrum