Iowa State reports zero positive tests for COVID-19 among student-athletes — again

Sep 3, 2016; Ames, IA, USA; Iowa State athletic director Jamie Pollard watches the Cyclones pregame warmups for their game against the Northern Iowa Panthers at Jack Trice Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Reese Strickland-USA TODAY Sports

Iowa State continues to be a model of success in handling the COVID-19 pandemic.

Jamie Pollard tweeted on Thursday there have been zero positives for the virus among the school’s student-athletes in their last 1,200 test. This comes as school across the country have been forced to shut down operations in various sports, most notably football, due to outbreaks inside of programs.

Roughly a month and a half after Ames was considered one of the nation’s biggest hotspots for the virus, numbers continue to fall campus wide for positive tests week after week. This week the university reported 40 students and faculty members tested positive for the virus the week of Oct. 5-11, down from 512 in the last week of August.

Late last week, Big 12 conference member Baylor was forced to halt football activities after more than two dozen players and staff members tested positive for the virus. Outbreaks were also reported at Florida and several other programs, plus isolated cases, such as Alabama head coach Nick Saban, earlier this week.

While Iowa State continues to have great success, it was important for Pollard to note how quickly things can change, which is something we have all learned in 2020.

Jared Stansbury

View articles by Jared Stansbury subscriber

Jared a native of Clarinda, Iowa, started as the Cyclone Fanatic intern in August 2013, primarily working as a videographer until starting on the women’s basketball beat prior to the 2014-15 season. Upon earning his Bachelor’s degree in Journalism and Mass Communication from Iowa State in May 2016, Jared was hired as the site’s full-time staff writer, taking over as the primary day-to-day reporter on football and men’s basketball. He was elevated to the position of managing editor in January 2020. He is a regular contributor on 1460 KXNO in Des Moines and makes regular guest appearances on radio stations across the Midwest. Jared resides in Ankeny with his four-year-old puggle, Lolo.

Follow @@JaredStansbury