(Photo by VCG/VCG via Getty Images) ‘I’m a little worried about what will happen’Īthlete testimony has highlighted just how precarious the requirement is. HARBIN, CHINA - DECEMBER 27: Ice sculptures featuring Beijing 2022 mascots Bing Dwen Dwen and Shuey Rhon Rhon are on display at the Central Avenue on Decemin Harbin, Heilongjiang Province of China. The spokesperson also said that a negative PCR test “is the basic requirement of the Chinese authorities for entry into the country.” They did not immediately respond to follow-up questions about how Chinese authorities would consider those cases, and about any protocols that would guide decision-making.

“If the MEP makes a recommendation that the person is fully recovered and no longer infectious, this would be forwarded to the Chinese authorities for consideration as an exception,” the IOC spokesperson said.

On Wednesday, a day after the initial publication of this story, the IOC spokesperson said that, “In case of recent infection, if there are persistent positive PCR tests, then cases could be assessed and considered by the Medical Expert Panel,” a group comprising members of China’s CDC, members of Beijing’s CDC, and five international experts representing the IOC and international sports federations. … You're going to disqualify some people for no good reason.” When asked if there was any scientific rationale for the requirement, Schaffner said: “Only that they're being over-careful.

In an FAQ document distributed to media earlier this month, in response to a question specifically about “the high likelihood of false positive tests from post-infection viral shedding,” organizers reiterated that two negative PCR tests within 96 hours of departure would be necessary, even for individuals who’ve recently recovered from COVID-19. The Olympic protocols, however, rely solely on nasal PCR tests. PCR testing after the 10-day mark is not only unnecessary, Schaffner said. It does not mean that you are infectious.” Athletes could, therefore, return to competition confident that they were no longer capable of transmitting the virus to others. This was because, as Vanderbilt infectious disease specialist Bill Schaffner explained Tuesday, “after 10 days, if your PCR is positive, that is just detecting dead soldiers - remnants of the virus that have persisted in your system. The NFL announced a similar policy earlier this month.Įven prior to the amendments, most leagues allowed asymptomatic players to return after 10 days, even if they continued to test positive. The NBA on Monday agreed to allow vaccinated players to return six days after initial positive tests if follow-up tests show that the player is no longer infectious. sports leagues have refined their return-to-play protocols. CDC, under pressure to keep American healthcare systems and economic sectors operational amid record-breaking virus surges, cited “science demonstrating that the majority of SARS-CoV-2 transmission occurs early in the course of illness, generally in the 1-2 days prior to onset of symptoms and the 2-3 days after.” Acting on that science and similar pressure, multiple U.S.

They do not include exceptions for athletes who’ve recently recovered from COVID-19, despite widespread evidence that PCR tests can continue to detect insignificant traces of the virus weeks after the contagious phase of a person’s illness. Protocols for the 2022 Winter Olympics, outlined in published “ playbooks” and supplementary documents, require all participants to submit two negative PCR tests shortly before entering China.

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