The Latest: Health leaders want MLB to avoid risky behavior

The Latest on the effects of the coronavirus outbreak on sports around the world:

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A coalition of health department leaders in major American cities cautioned Major League Baseball to avoid risky behavior when the season resumes next week.

In statement issued by Executive Director Chrissie Juliano, the Big Cities Health Coalition made some recommendations about procedures to follow when the baseball season resumes July 23. They range from proper handwashing stations to only traveling on charter flights.

“It is critical that the local public health status of COVID-19 be considered when determining if professional sporting events should take place in the jurisdiction, with or without spectators,” Juliano wrote. “We all want to see our teams back on their respective fields, but, frankly, this should not come at the expense of the health and safety of the people in their organizations and our community.”

The coalition includes the top health officials from 30 of the country’s largest metropolitan areas, including virtually every major league city. It noted that testing should not replace the quarantine of those diagnosed with COVID-19, and recommended that players and staff cooperate with contact tracing. Teams should report clusters of three or more positive cases that occur within a two-week period.

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Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont said he's reluctant to allow UConn’s football team to travel to states with high coronavirus infection rates this fall.

UConn, which is scheduled to play its first season as an independent after leaving the American Athletic Conference has road games scheduled at Virginia, Mississippi, North Carolina and San Jose State. Lamont said should the team travel to a state where infection rates remain high, Husky players would be...

source https://www.chron.com/sports/article/The-Latest-Russian-soccer-game-off-after-9-virus-15412713.php