The NFL has decided to proceed with the upcoming season despite the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The league will be conducting a series of tests for the players as they report to their respective training camps starting on July 28. But once football operations resume, a rash of positive results from the players is being expected by the league.

NFL chief medical officer Allen Sills told Ben Volin of the Boston Globe.

“We absolutely expect that, and I think that’s just reflective of the fact that this disease remains endemic in our society,”

The goal will be catching those who test positive before they can enter the team facility, the locker room, the practice field, or a game.

“You don’t want anyone who is infected to come into that team environment,” Dr. Sills told Volin. “That is an absolutely crucial screening for us to try to start off with a very healthy environment, and also make sure we can give the appropriate treatment and care for those individuals who may be affected and not be aware. But I think we all anticipate that there will be those cases, and we’ve been very clear of that throughout.”

According to the New York Times, the entire United States population account for over 3.3 million positive cases and over 135,000 deaths.

As the NFL prepares to resume their operations, the safety of the players and coaches are still the utmost priority. The 2020 season is expected to begin with the Kickoff Game on September 10. It will feature defending Super Bowl LIV champion Kansas City Chiefs hosting the Houston Texans.