Frank Martin tested positive for COVID-19, again.
The South Carolina technician, who first tested positive for the coronavirus in May, said on Friday that he contracted the virus again last week.
Martin, via The State, said the test was positive on January 7 and is showing symptoms like congestion and cough. He tested positive the first time in May, shortly before undergoing knee replacement surgery, although he was asymptomatic.
“The first time, he didn’t kick my ass like he kicked my ass,” said Martin, via The State.
Frank Martin removed after second diagnosis of COVID
Gamecocks had to interrupt the team’s activities for two weeks last month due to coronavirus problems within the program, which resulted in the team losing five games. The team has played only twice since December 5 and has only played five games this season.
Martin is not with the team this week and will miss their game at LSU on Saturday night. Assistant coach Bruce Shingler will lead the team instead. Two other assistants are also skipping the trip.
Martin, 54, is one of several prominent trainers who contracted the coronavirus this season, joining Tom Izzo of Michigan State, Scott Drew of Baylor and Jim Boeheim of Syracuse, among others. Georgetown, Michigan State, West Virginia and Oregon announced this week that they are also dealing with new outbreaks.
Coronavirus is still on the rise in the United States. The country registered more than 238,000 new cases on Thursday alone, according to The New York Times, and has an average of more than 3,300 deaths attributed to the virus each day. South Carolina is the fourth worst state per capita in the country. He is seeing 92 new cases per 100,000 people per day and has averaged more than 4,700 new cases per day in the past week.
Martin, 54, is in his ninth season in South Carolina. He compiled an overall record of 150-121 there and did the NCAA tournament once – although he made it to the Final Four in 2017. It is unclear when he will be able to go back to the team, but he said his symptoms were improving.
“I don’t like to do that about me because it’s not about me … This is not a problem for Frank Martin,” said Martin, via The State. “But after thinking about how I need to manage this moment, I thought that transparency has always been one of my greatest gifts. I’m not trying to hide in a bubble somewhere. And I think it is very important for many out there to understand that this is the second time that I have been through this. “
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