US figure skater tests positive for COVID-19 at Olympics

U.S. figure skater Vincent Zhou on Sunday tested positive for COVID-19 during a regular screening procedure, according to reports.

A U.S. figure skating representative told NPR in a statement that Zhou tested positive “as part of regular COVID-19 screening” and he is “under the guidance of the [U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee] medical staff.

Zhou, who is competing in his second Winter Olympics, will be undergoing additional testing to confirm his status on Monday, the statement added.

He is expected to compete in the men’s short competition alongside six-time U.S. champion Nathan Chen and two-time reigning Olympic champion Yuzuru Hanyu of Japan.

The 21-year-old Olympian was part of the U.S. ice skating team that won the silver medal in the team competition. Zhou, however, could not attend the medal ceremony after he tested positive for the virus.

If he tests negative in additional testing he will be allowed to compete in the men’s short program that begins Tuesday.

Under current protocols, if Zhou tests positive again, he will be taken to an isolation ward that has been slammed by several athletes for poor conditions, including a lack of edible food.

The International Olympic Committee has vowed to address and improve conditions following complaints from athletes who have had to isolate due to positive COVID-19 tests, according to The Associated Press.