Stunning Percentage of Superdome Renovators Test Positive for COVID-19

After months of being shut down, several states around the country are beginning to enter the inaugural phase of reopening in light of the coronavirus pandemic. The NFL has followed this lead by recently opening its facilities, albeit for a limited number of staff and coaches.

While the curve has been flattened in some areas, the league was smacked with concerning news on Monday when it was reported that several players on the Houston Texas and Dallas Cowboys, including running back Ezekiel Elliott, tested positive for the virus.

This narrative continued into Tuesday as Darren Rovell of the Action Network revealed that a startling 11.6% of individuals working on renovations to the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans have contracted COVID-19.

The Superdome released a statement in the wake of this unsettling development, which confirmed that workers who tested positive have been sent home to isolate and self quarantine until they are fully-recovered.

"After learning of the affected workers, Broadmoor LLC, the main contractor for the project, implemented its coronavirus response plan to ensure that those affected workers had been isolated away from the job site. These workers will be required to complete the CDC-compliant protocol and provide Broadmoor LLC evidence of a negative COVID-19 test before being allowed back on the site. We have also increased mitigation measures such as mandatory masks to protect workers who remain on the job."

This isn't the first spike of positive tests related to the remodeling of NFL stadiums this offseason. In late April, at least seven workers helping build the Las Vegas Raiders' new Allegiant Stadium succumbed to the virus.

Both projects have been tabbed essential by local political officials, but this is yet another reminder of the severity of COVID-19, and it really makes you ponder how the NFL will proceed when more players (presumably) begin testing positive.