LAST UPDATED ON JAN. 17, 2021 AT 8:26 AM
What information will this NFL Covid update provide?
- Current case statistics for each county that hosts an NFL team
- The change in those numbers from week to week
- State travel restrictions, if any
What is it useful for?
- Making travel preparations, if you’re planning on visiting one of these areas
- Adjusting your level of caution as you see fit
This data is not meant to be suggestive, nor should it be taken as advice. It’s simply about providing relevant information in a digestible format. Do with it what you will, and at your own risk — just please err on the side of caution.
So let’s say, for example, you’re planning on going to a Saints playoff game. The sharp increase of new cases in Orleans County, means you’ll take extra safety measures – without being told.
On the other hand, Browns fans shouldn’t forgo social distancing just because the 14-day new cases in Cuyahoga County decreased by 64% since late November.
And if you have notions about going to Tampa for Super Bowl LV? You’ll want to pay attention to the fact that the percentage of 14-day new cases has risen steadily since October.
Interpreting the NFL Covid Update visualization
- The visualization below shows the progression of 2 common Coronavirus stats since Oct. 10.
- NFL team logos are for association purposes only. That is, ‘Tarrant County, TX’ won’t ring a bell to most people outside the state, but the Dallas Cowboys name & logo sure will.
- The U.S. flag icon represents the United States as a whole, so you can see how it compares to the individual locales.
- Click the ‘play forward’ button to start the visualization:
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- Hovering over the team icon at the end of the progression will additionally note travel restrictions to that state. There are 3 levels of restrictions:
- Quarantine – Quarantine requirements as mandated by state law
- Some – No quarantine required, but the state is not moving forward with the next phase of reopening
- No – No restrictions or Covid testing required for visitors
- Source: kayak.com
Source: coronavirus.1point3acres.com
Notes:
- The 14-day new cases % for all NFL counties is 14.6% as of Jan. 17, marking the 5th straight week of decline. That’s the lowest since early November, and it’s also the first time since that month that it’s below the overall U.S. average.
- In spite of this, fans should still be wary. The 15% figure is skewed due to a huge drop from a single county, Jackson, MO. The home of the Chiefs went from an astounding 92% just 3 weeks ago to 0%.
- So while 25 NFL counties showed a decrease in 14-day new cases on Jan. 2, that number is now down to 17.
Here’s a tabular view of the weekly change in % of 14-day new cases (relative to Oct. 10) for each county, plus the U.S.:
Source: coronavirus.1point3acres.com
NFL Coronavirus news (9/10 – 1/3)
- A fan tested positive after attending the Chiefs home opener. 10 in quarantine after fan at Chiefs game tests positive for Covid-19 (nbcnews.com)
- At least 8 Tarrant County residents who’ve attended a Cowboys game contracted the virus, but it’s unknown if it happened at AT&T Stadium.
- Over 20 games were rescheduled through the first 5 weeks alone. The Ravens-Steelers game that was supposed to take place on Thanksgiving night was postponed three times.
- The 49ers will play 2 of their home games at State Farm Stadium in Arizona, thanks to a Covid-related ban imposed by Santa Clara County.
- Due to a change in NY state regulations, fans can attend a Buffalo Bills game for the first time this season on Jan. 9.
- The NFL requires players and coaches to wear masks while on the sidelines, as of 11/23.
- Entering the final week of the regular season, 13 teams were allowing fans in the stands.
- The NFL will not follow the NBA by playing post-season games in a bubble.
NFL Covid update for postseason
All 4 host teams will be allowing fans in the stands for the divisional round of playoff games.
- For the first time this season, fans are permitted at Lambeau Field (6,000 max). Up till now, only friends and family of employees were allowed. The team is reportedly considering increased capacity for the conference championship game on Jan. 24.
- The Bills and Chiefs will maintain their max capacity at 6,772 & 16,046, respectively.
- 500 health care workers will be allowed for the Tampa Bay-New Orleans contest on Jan. 17, raising the total capacity to 3,500.