Washington Football Team won’t allow fans at this weeks game after surge in coronavirus cases

The Washington Football Team will play its Sunday game with no spectators, citing a recent spike in coronavirus cases.

“The Washington Football Team has been continuously monitoring the evolving health situation in the DMV region,” the team said in a statement, according to The Washington Post.

“After careful consideration and working in close coordination with health officials in Prince George’s County, we have decided that this Sunday’s game against the Cincinnati Bengals will be played without fans in attendance,” the team added. “We take the responsibility of protecting our staff, players, fans and the community seriously and feel this is the right decision at this time.”

The state Department of Health in Maryland, where the team’s stadium is located, reported a total of 167,656 cases of the virus since March as of Monday. The total includes a steady climb in cases in the state since the beginning of the month. The team played the start of its season without fans but allowed a limited number after Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan (R) allowed outdoor sporting venues to operate at 10 percent capacity.

Hogan has responded to the surge by tightening restrictions in the state, particularly as pertains to public gatherings.

“As we continue to see widespread community transmission, it’s more critical than ever that Marylanders increase their vigilance and follow the public health guidance,” Hogan tweeted Monday. “We need to get back to basics: wear a mask, wash your hands, avoid gatherings, and practice physical distancing.”

As we continue to see widespread community transmission, it’s more critical than ever that Marylanders increase their vigilance and follow the public health guidance. We need to get back to basics: wear a mask, wash your hands, avoid gatherings, and practice physical distancing.

— Governor Larry Hogan (@GovLarryHogan) November 16, 2020

The United States has seen a massive surge of coronavirus cases as the colder weather drives people to congregate inside. Many of the worst outbreaks have been concentrated in the Midwest, according to data compiled by The New York Times.

The news from the football team comes as the Ivy League — a college sports league including schools like Harvard, Brown, Princeton and Yale — decided to cancel its winter sports season due to the coronavirus.