North Carolina temporarily suspends athletic activities due to on-campus coronavirus outbreak

North Carolina has reversed course regarding athletics programs following a coronavirus outbreak that led to the school shifting to full-time remote learning on Monday. 

After initially declaring that workouts would continue, UNC announced on Wednesday: 

"Because of a continued upward trend in positive COVID-19 tests on campus, Carolina Athletics will immediately suspend athletic activities for all sports teams until at least 5 p.m. tomorrow (Thursday, August 20). Campus recreation facilities also will be closed." 

North Carolina athletic director Bubba Cunningham added: 

"After consulting with our health experts and University leadership, we are taking this action to protect our students, coaches, and staff. We want to make sure we continue to do everything we can to ensure that that our teams, campus, and community remain healthy.''

On Monday, ESPN's Andrea Adelson reported that at least 177 North Carolina students were self-isolating, while another 349 were quarantined because of the outbreak. 

North Carolina temporarily paused football workouts on July 8 after at least 37 student-athletes, coaches, and staff members produced positive coronavirus tests.