#NFL changes coronavirus testing protocols after Matthew Stafford false positive

The NFL is changing the current coronavirus screening and testing protocols, it announced Friday.

Dr. Allen Sills, chief medical officer of the league, sent out a memo to all club presidents, general managers, head coaches, team physicians and athletic trainers on Friday detailing change regarding unconfirmed and false positive tests.

“Test results reported as ‘presumptive positive’ or ‘inconclusive’ should be considered the same as ‘positive,’” Sills confirmed. “With regard to further testing, treatment, and screening.”

The update comes after Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford was removed from the COVID-IR list on Tuesday, receiving a false-positive test that turned his family’s life upside down. His wife Kelly complained that the results have been essentially ruining her life via Instagram.

“We always want to produce the most accurate test results,” Sills said on a conference call with reporters. “When you have 75,000 tests, you collect a lot of learning.”

As well as the changes to the testing protocols, Sills is also advocating changing the league’s current Treatment Response Protocols.

“All players, Tier 1 and Tier 2 personnel must use facemasks at all times when in the club facility except players may remove their masks when physical activity prevents their use (at which times they are encouraged when possible),” Stills explained in the memo. “Players are encouraged, but not required to wear masks in the weight room. Face shields are NOT an acceptable substitute for face masks, though they may be worn in addition to a mask for additional protection.”