The Las Vegas Raiders offseason started with an abundance of excitement and has quickly slowed down due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Not only is the NFL Draft in Las Vegas going to be changed to being completely virtual, but a construction worker for the Raiders new Allegiant Stadium tested positive for coronavirus last month.
Unfortunately, the coronavirus has been hard to combat for all organizations and governing bodies. Not only can it remain on surfaces for an extended period of time, but there have also been reports of individuals carrying the virus without symptoms for up to two weeks. With that in mind, Mick Akers of the Las Vegas Review-Journal has reported that a second construction worker of Allegiant Stadium has tested positive for coronavirus:
A second worker at Allegiant Stadium has tested positive for COVID-19, the firm building the Las Vegas arena reported Wednesday.
Mortenson-McCarthy, the joint venture leading the stadium’s construction, was notified Tuesday of the positive test, according to a news release.
The worker was not in close contact with other employees because of social distancing protocols and was on site for one week before leaving April 2, prior to experiencing symptoms of the disease caused by the new coronavirus, it said.
In response to their cases of coronavirus, Mortenson-McCarthy has instituted a number of safety and sanitation policies. Additional sanitation stations have been installed and they are now staggering entrance times for workers to help with social distancing.
Construction workers are also now subject to verbal health screenings upon entry. Any worker who is experiencing symptoms of coronavirus will be asked to stay home.
Furthermore, Mortenson-McCarthy has instituted more sanitation throughout the yet to be completed stadium. An official for the companies also stated that the most recent work area of the worker who tested positive has been shut down and sanitized:
The area where the worker had been assigned, and the surrounding vicinity, was immediately shut down and sanitized. Work continues in other areas of the project that remain unaffected,” the release stated.
As with many construction projects throughout the United States, construction on Allegiant Stadium will continue as scheduled. The stadium is set to be completed this July, but further cases of coronavirus could affect this, of course. While many are anxious for Raiders football to get underway, hopefully all construction workers can stay safe during these trying times.
