The NHL announced new numbers on Monday for players who have tested positive for the coronavirus.
Only 2 players in total have tested positive for COVID-19 since July 13, the formal start of Phase 3 Training Camps.
45 players in total have tested positive since July 6, the start of Phase 2.
NHL statement on COVID-19 testing results: pic.twitter.com/C137laTvbH
— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) July 20, 2020
The full statement reads:
Statement from the National Hockey League on COVID-19 Testing Results:
The NHL concluded the first five days (July 13-17) of Phase 3 (formal training camp) of its Return to Play with two positive test results for COVID-19 among the 2,618 tests administered to more than 800 players. Both Players who tested positive have self-isolated and are following CDC and Health Canada protocols. During Phase 3, the NHL will continue to provide regular updates on the number of tests administered to Players and the results of those tests. The League will not be providing information on the identity of the Players of Clubs.
The NHL opened training camps last Monday and there were some troubling reports. At least three Montreal Canadiens players tested positive for COVID-19 (though it appears those players’ positive tests happened during Phase 2 testing) while nearly a third of the Pittsburgh Penguins training camp roster was initially sidelined due to secondary exposure to COVID-19.
The ratio between two positive tests in 2,618 and the number of players who were declared "unfit to play" kinda points to there being a problem with this new injury reporting format, no? Like making it seem worse than it was? https://t.co/l4o40gycmy
— Greg Wyshynski (@wyshynski) July 20, 2020
Teams are scheduled to leave their host cities and travel to their Secure Zone bubble on Sunday, July 26, for exhibition games and the start of the 24-team playoff.
