The University of Iowa athletics department announced Monday that it conducted 644 COVID-19 PCR tests for the week of Sept. 28-Oct. 4 and received four positive tests and 640 negative tests.

As part of Iowa’s return to campus protocol, testing began May 29 and includes athletes, coaches, and staff members. A total of 237 positive tests, 5,605 negative tests, and one inconclusive test have been received.

According to a release, following the positive test result, protocol established by UI Athletics and medical staff, including contact tracing procedures, is being followed to ensure the safety of all UI Athletics student-athletes and staff. This mandatory protocol also includes isolation for the individuals who test positive, and quarantine for those individuals who might have been exposed to someone with the virus.

The Big Ten Conference began daily rapid antigen surveillance testing on Sept. 30. Any positive tests identified through the surveillance testing process would be confirmed through a PCR test and reflected in the numbers listed above.

The department does not provide a testing breakdown by sport or specify if an athlete or staff members has tested positive.

Infographic by Chloe Peterson/The Daily Iowan

James Torner, a professor of epidemiology in the UI’s College of Public Health, is serving as Iowa’s Chief Infection Officer, and will be responsible for reporting testing numbers to the Big Ten daily.

The Iowa football team’s season is scheduled to begin on Oct. 24 in West Lafayette against Purdue. Football is the only sport being played in the Big Ten this fall.