The Latest on the effects of the coronavirus outbreak on sports around the world:
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The Cleveland Browns can have 12,000 fans — double the number from their first two games — inside FirstEnergy Stadium for this week’s home game against Indianapolis.
The team is being granted the increase by the Ohio Department of Health, which informed the team of its decision on Monday in an email to the organization.
The Browns had hoped to get more fans after successful games against Cincinnati and Washington. The state initially granted the team a variance to allow fans, and the Browns implemented strict safety protocols
Several NFL teams aren’t allowing any fans during the COVID-19 pandemic. On Sunday, the Browns beat the Dallas Cowboys in front of 25,021 fans at AT&T Stadium.
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UNC Wilmington says it has identified coronavirus clusters involving the Seahawks’ women’s basketball, softball and men’s soccer teams.
The school announced the three clusters Monday, saying there had been a total of 18 COVID-19 cases. The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services defines a cluster as five or more cases considered in close proximity of location over the past 14 days.
Those involved in the clusters either have been or are currently isolating with medical monitoring and any needed treatment. The school has notified the New Hanover County Health Department and is conducting contact tracing to determine who has been in close contact with infected individuals.
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LSU has dropped a requirement for fans to undergo Centers for Disease Control medical wellness checks before entering Tiger Stadium for Saturday’s home game against Missouri.
The checks include a questionnaire regarding various symptoms associated with the novel coronavirus, including fever, cough, shortness of breath, and breathing difficulties.
LSU athletics officials are encouraging fans to conduct a self-assessment before heading to the game to check for COVID-19 symptoms.
Fans still will be required to wear masks in the stadium except while eating or drinking in their assigned seats.
LSU also has approved alcohol sales inside the stadium for the first time this season. Sales for such beverages will cease after the third quarter or 11 p.m. The university also plans to have more concession stands open around Tiger Stadium.
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