Ohio State pauses football activity due to surge of COVID-19 positives

March 9 (UPI) -- Ohio State University has paused all football-related activities due to a rise in positive COVID-19 test results within the program, the school announced Tuesday.

Ohio State said it has closed the Woody Hayes Athletic Center's administrative offices for at least one week as a result of Monday's round of PCR testing.

The school said in a news release that the decision to pause activities and close the Columbus, Ohio, facility was made by athletic director Gene Smith and head team physician Dr. Jim Borchers "out of an abundance of caution."

"Our decisions on the welfare of our student-athletes, staff members and those coming to our campus, and our determination as to when we will reopen and resume activities, will continue to be guided by our medical staff," Smith said in the news release.

"We have been successful in safety hosting nearly 100 athletic events on campus this year with limited disruptions, but this pandemic is not over. We will continue to stress safety measures of wearing masks, consistent and thorough hand washing and physical distancing and we will remain vigilant in those areas."

The Buckeyes said they remain on schedule to start spring football drills March 19 in Columbus.