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NBA dealing with COVID-related referee shortage as playoffs near
McCutchen, who worked as an NBA referee for 24 years, said the league has offered health services and assistance for officials to be more easily vaccinated given their travel schedule. While he doesn't have figures on how many officials have had at least one dose of a vaccine, McCutchen said the "vaccination program is in full force right now." Ten NBA referees, including veteran officials typically assigned to the NBA Finals, are sidelined because of issues related to COVID-19 and, in one case, an injury, a league official told ESPN. That figure represents the highest of its kind to date in a season during which 24 referees have missed at least one game because of health and safety protocols, a league spokesman told ESPN. Most of the absences have been tied to contact tracing, according to the spokesperson, who added that the league expects all 10 of the referees currently sidelined to be available for the playoffs, which start in less than a month.
NCAA updates guidelines for championships for those who are fully vaccinated The advisory group met this week to discuss the most recent recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control. The CDC considers individuals to be fully vaccinated two weeks after receiving either a single-dose vaccine or the second shot of a two-dose vaccine.
Orlando Magic coach Steve Clifford cleared from health and safety protocols Clifford tested positive for COVID-19 on April 22. He then returned two negative tests the next day before again testing positive on April 24. He has missed the Magic's past five games and will not be present for Monday night's game in Detroit because the team traveled Sunday.
New England Patriots' plane being used to give flight to China's vaccine diplomacy
The New England Patriots' team plane has delivered 500,000 Chinese-made COVID vaccines to El Salvador - and in the process inadvertently inserted itself into a testy, geopolitical fight for influence in Latin America. The "Pats Plane" was greeted upon arrival in San Salvador early Wednesday, just after midnight, by China's top diplomat to the tiny Central American country. This week, the U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission, which advises Congress on the national security implications of China's rise, warned that the U.S. needed to begin sending its own vaccines to the region or risk losing support from longtime allies.
NFL relaxing COVID-19 protocols for vaccinated players, staff
Moving forward, players and staff who are fully vaccinated will not be subject to daily testing. They will have no mask requirements, will not have to quarantine if they are exposed to a COVID-19 positive person and won't have travel restrictions.
Florida Gators athletic department had $54.5M shortfall amid pandemic The SEC responded by giving its 14 member institutions $23 million each to help offset the losses. The league plans to use future conference revenues from an increased television rights contract to pay for the one-time supplement.