Cover-Credits:
On 1st September, a day into Valorant Champions 2022, players and coaching staff reported that they contracted COVID-19 and that they are recovering from the illness. North American (NA) representatives 100 Thieves (100T) and OpTic Gaming took to social media to explain the current situation. Following this, Riot Games also released an update regarding the COVID-19 protocols set in place at the venue in Istanbul, Turkey to help and assist the players. Notably, OpTic is taking on Boom Esports today on 1st September and 100T is scheduled to play Fnatic the following day.
100T players and coaches down with COVID-19 at Valorant Champions 2022
Ahead of its Valorant Champions 2022 debut, it seems like the 100 Thieves squad is tasked with dealing with the positive cases in the camp. 100T General Manager Daniel “ddk” Kapadia explained on Twitter that the members were absent at the press conference. He wrote, “Four of our players and both coaches got COVID four days ago. Everyone is recovering quickly.” ddk also noted that all the members are focused and COVID-19 would not stop the team from giving the tournament its all.
Riot Games makes an announcement
Riot Games has been very accommodating when it comes to ensuring that players who test positive for the virus also get the chance to play the tournament, provided they feel good and choose to compete. In a statement, the company said that all participants are required to participate in a regular testing cadence at Valorant Champions 2022 since the health and safety of players and staff at Champions Istanbul is its highest priority.
“During mandatory testing, a member of Optic Gaming produced a positive result from a PCR test. Our policy states that in the event a competitor returns a positive result for COVID-19, but feels well enough to compete and chooses to play, the affected player will play the scheduled match on a LAN network built in the isolation facilities.”
Notably, the individual who tested positive will participate from an isolated room while their teammates and the opposing team will compete from the venue. Riot also added that the order of matches on a given day is subject to change.
OpTic Gaming coach tests positive for COVID-19
Following Riot’s announcement, OpTic Gaming’s coach Chet Singh confirmed on Twitter that he tested positive two-three days ago. He added, “Definitely very unfortunate circumstances but Riot and also some members of 100T have provided stuff for me to get through this. Wasn't able to recover at all so far but I will get through this.”
Click here to read more about Valorant Champions 2022 and to follow the scores and updates from the tournament.
