Report: Tampa Bay Lightning suffer COVID-19 outbreak, close facility
Weeks before the planned restart of NHL training camps ahead of the 24-team model to crown a Stanley Cup champion for a season altered by the coronavirus pandemic, the league may have hit its first significant roadblock toward resuming play.
On the same day the Philadelphia Phillies confirmed a COVID-19 outbreak among players and staff working in Clearwater, Fla., TSN's Bob McKenzie reported that the Tampa Bay Lightning had to close their facility due to multiple positive coronavirus tests:
McKenzie added he heard three players and two staff members from the Lightning have tested positive, and that the team is awaiting additional results. It's expected that the team facility will reopen if everyone else produces negative tests:
On Thursday, Orange County, Fla., Mayor Jerry Demings mandated all individuals must wear masks in public following coronavirus spikes throughout Florida. Major League Soccer and the NHL are planning to resume their seasons in Orlando next month.
NHL training camps are scheduled to begin July 10, but commissioner Gary Bettman has been clear since late May that dates are penciled-in and dependent on local guidelines and restrictions and also test results.
Earlier in the day, the Phillies confirmed at least five players and three staff members tested positive for COVID-19 this week. As many as 32 additional test results were unknown as of the time of the team's statement.
The club temporarily closed its Clearwater, Fla., facility.
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