The Pac-12 Conference announced a partnership initiative with Quidel Corporation Thursday to provide up to daily COVID-19 testing for the conference's student-athletes in close-contact sports.
“This is a major step toward the safe resumption of Pac-12 sport competitions,” Pac-12 Commissioner Larry Scott said in a statement Thursday.
Quidel's testing machines are expected to reach every athletic department in the conference by the end of September, according to the statement.
"We are pleased to participate in this innovative arrangement that will help protect Pac-12 student-athletes and allow them to return to play while contributing to further understanding of the COVID-19 virus that will benefit all of society," Quidel Corporation President Douglas Bryant said in the statement.
The Pac-12 postponed all fall athletic competitions until the end of the calendar year. The conference joined the Big Ten Conference, Big Sky Conference, Mid-Atlantic Conference and Mountain West Conference in postponing fall sports.
The Pac-12 CEO group cited the lack of testing as one reason behind the cancellation of the fall sports season. Scott said Quidel's testing capabilities help solve that concern.
“The availability of a reliable test that can be administered daily, with almost immediate results, addresses one of the key concerns that was expressed by our medical advisory committee, as well as by student-athletes, coaches and others," Scott said.
As of Aug. 30, ASU has reported 775 positive COVID-19 cases among its student body since Aug. 1, with 323 of those cases on the Tempe campus.
Reach the reporter at aklatsky@asu.edu and follow @averyklatsky on Twitter.
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