CDL World Championships Under Threat As COVID-19 Hits OpTic Duo And More
Just as fans return to Call of Duty esports, the CDL World Championships could be forced to be cancelled, as multiple high-profile players have tested positive for COVID-19.
Following the Stage V Major, in which Minnesota Røkkr pulled off one of the best championships runs ever seen, reports have surfaced that many players have caught Coronavirus.
OpTic Chicago duo of Seth "Scump" Abner and Dylan "Envoy" Hannon both admitted testing positive, as former pro turned streamer Thomas "ZooMaa" Paparatto reported that many other team camps also have tested positive.
With the admissions, the CDL World Championships now faces a major dilemma, and could even be cancelled.
OpTic Chicago Duo test positive for coronavirus a week before CDL Champs
Taking to Twitter, Scump admitted: "I was one of the players that tested positive for covid after the major," before adding that he "felt like I was pretty responsible the whole event."
Envoy added: "Along with Seth I tested positive for COVID after Major V. Believe I’ve got past my worst days but just hoping both us and all other players test negative in time for Champs."
Reports also suggest that Toronto Ultra substitute Anthony "Methodz" Zinni and attendee Patryk "Rallied" Salata could be amongst a catalyst of names who came in contact with the virus.
Allegedly, the CDL players and personalities had attended an 'after party', in which the virus could have spread, whilst players such as Paco "Hydra" Rusiewiez were seen soaking in the atmosphere of their first fan-led LAN by mixing with supporters in the crowd - against regulations.
CDL Championships Called Into Question Amid Coronavirus Woes
With tight-knit coronavirus guidelines going into each event, the CDL championships could be cancelled following the outbreak.
The league has yet to make an informed decision on whether it will go ahead as planned, or whether they will follow the League of Legends Championship Series by axing fans and providing refunds to the 3,500 sold tickets.
As to whether the positive players can play, the league insists two negative tests must be provided by the players before attending the arena. The two-week turnaround following the Stage V major and Champs could allow enough time for them to fully recover, although should they fail to provide the tests, a substitute can be enrolled.
For OpTic especially, they have kept their roster all year round, meaning substitute Jordon "General" General and head coach Troy "Sender" Michaels may be pulled in as the only two players who know their strategies.
Activision is expected to update fans in the coming days, with just over 72 hours (as of writing) until the Championships kicks off.
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