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In grim news, we are facing yet another summer COVID surge<\/a>. Rates of infection are rising <\/a>across 84 countries, according to the World Health Organization. And amid an invigorating Olympics games<\/a>, even the most elite of us all are not immune.\u00a0<\/p>\n After scoring bronze in the 200-meter finals Thursday, American sprinter Noah Lyles confirmed he tested positive for COVID two days prior. He\u2019s among dozens of other athletes who have tested positive during the Game. He had not disclosed his diagnosis to his teammates, he told the Olympics<\/a> broadcaster NBC after the race.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cWe were trying to keep this as close to the chest as possible,\u201d Lyles, wearing a mask, tells journalists following the race, according to NBC<\/a>. \u201cYou never want to tell your competitors you\u2019re sick. Why would you give them an edge over you?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n According to NBC\u2019s live update reporting, Lyles confided in his coach, medical staff, and family, and made the decision to stay in the race because it was his \u201cone shot.\u201d Unlike the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, officials were not strict on COVID protocol this time around and left competing with the respiratory virus up to the athletes and their staff.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cI knew if I wanted to come out here and win, I had to give everything I had from the get-go. I didn\u2019t have any time to save energy, so that was kind of the strategy for today,\u201d he tells reporters at the games. \u201cThis is by far the best day I felt out of the last three days. I still wouldn\u2019t say I\u2019m 100% but I would definitely say I\u2019m closer to like, 90 to 95%.\u201d<\/p>\n Still, it feels like quite the head-turner after years of intense COVID protocols. Many have taken their opinions online, critiquing the sprinter for competing with the heavily contagious illness. One simply asks what everyone\u2019s thinking: \u201cYou are allowed to compete if you have covid?<\/a>\u201d An epidemiologist commented on the news headline on Instagram<\/a>, saying, \u201cThis is not something to celebrate. Putting other athletes\u2019 (+ coaches, staff, fans, etc) health at risk is not OK.\u201d No matter people\u2019s illness severity, COVID is still highly contagious, experts have previously told Fortune<\/em>.\u00a0<\/p>\n Olympians with underlying conditions, including Lyles, who has asthma, may be at an increased risk for complications from COVID. And people with mild cases may still also have reduced performance. The few who develop long COVID can also experience reduced exercise capacity<\/a>. After Lyles completed his race, he fell to the ground and received assistance into a wheelchair to be led off the track.\u00a0<\/p>\n Later, Lyles reported having minor symptoms <\/a>of COVID, saying he felt \u201cquite lightheaded after that race, and shortness of breath and chest pain was definitely active \u2026 But after a while, I was able to catch my breath and get my wits about me. So I\u2019m feeling a lot better now.\u201d<\/p>\n The USA Track & Field organization issued a statement in response, confirming Lyles diagnosis from earlier this week. \u201cIn response, the USOPC [U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee] and USATF swiftly enacted all necessary protocols to prioritize his health, the wellbeing of our team, and the safety of fellow competitors.\u201d<\/p>\n It continues: \u201cOur primary commitment is to ensure the safety of Team USA athletes while upholding their right to compete \u2026 After a thorough medical evaluation, Noah chose to compete tonight. We respect his decision and will continue to monitor his condition closely.\u201d<\/p>\n It\u2019s yet to be determined if Lyles will compete in the 4x100m relay this weekend, which would be his last event of the games. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) now recommends that people isolate themselves for at least 24 hours after they begin to feel better and are having no signs of fever without fever-reducing medication.\u00a0<\/p>\n An official statement regarding public health protocol from the 2024 Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games, the World Health Organization, the French Ministry of Health and Prevention, the Sant\u00e9 publique France and the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control acknowledges that attending mass sporting events \u201cincreases your chances of being exposed to respiratory diseases, including whooping cough and COVID-19.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n The guidance recommends staying up-to-date on vaccinations and staying home, or wearing a mask if you feel any symptoms of respiratory illnesses, like a fever or cough.<\/p>\n More on COVID:<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\nView the new Fortune 50 Best Places to Live for Families list. Discover the 2024 top destinations across the U.S. for multigenerational families to live, thrive, and find community. Explore the list<\/a>.<\/div>\n