Joonas Korpisalo of the Columbus Blue Jackets blocks a shot during the NHL game against the Chicago Blackhawks at the United Center in Chicago, U.S., January 29, 2021. /CFP
The North American National Hockey League (NHL) is adding game-day rapid testing for players to safety protocols in its latest bid to stem potential COVID-19 outbreaks among teams, a person with direct knowledge of the situation told The Associated Press on Thursday.
Rapid tests provide results within a half-hour, and will augment daily polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing already in place, which is similar to the protocols the NBA introduced this season. PCR tests are considered to be more accurate, but there's a 12-24 hour turnaround on results.
The move was confirmed by the person who spoke on the condition of anonymity because the league had not yet released its updated protocol.
The decision came two days after Vegas Golden Knights forward Tomas Nosek tested positive but was not quarantined until after playing the first two periods of a 5-4 win over Anaheim. And it came on the same day the NHL delayed the start of Edmonton's game at Montreal to complete contact tracing and testing after an Oilers player tested positive.
Dr. Anthony Fauci (L), director of the American National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, is greeted by Sean Doolittle of the Washington Nationals after throwing out the ceremonial first pitch prior to the MLB game in Washington, D.C., U.S., July 23, 2020. /CFP
In terms of baseball, the league – Major League Baseball (MLB) – announced its initial 2021 schedule last July 9 and updated it on Thursday with game times.
The MLB season is scheduled to start on April 1 with the New York Yankees hosting Toronto and Detroit hosting Cleveland, part of an opening-day schedule of 15 games.
The schedule envisions every team playing its first game on the same day for the first time since 1968.
The All-Star Game is scheduled for July 13 at Atlanta. The Yankees host Boston in the only game scheduled for July 15, the final day of the All-Star break for most teams.
Last season was cut to a scheduled 60 games per team because of the COVID-19 pandemic, which caused a delay in opening day from March 26 to July 23.
(With input from AP)